I matured slowly
bred from good berries not grapes
from the local gene pool
from gardens where once
the horse of tamerlain topped off the soil
I was kept cold too close to the window
I saw enough life
learned to change color even at night
no one could tell if I was ripe
father seldom scolded
I had time
to ferment in my own juice
sometimes to sourness of eye
so I never matured
still froth still air bubbles
skim the surface
I myself am afraid I'll become vinegar
what will I say the day of the last binge
when dionysus comes and asks who are you
Translated by Harvey L. Hix and the author
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem