Poetry Is A Fallen Monarch Poem by Lauro Marques

Poetry is a fallen monarch
poor begotten
wandering in the streets
in her wretched rags
made of rotten sheets
as if a beautiful girl
wrapped up in wild cotton
of whom we still see
noblesse not forgotten

When dame poetry-beggar comes knocking

(as she usually does, to those she espouses)

Give her water that has been doused from a new pit
earthen-bowl-kept
which you left
at rest
on your desk,
all night


Shut the curtains
and
windows
shut

Turn off
this useless and aerial-less
anti-Icarus monster
called TV
so she don't fly digressing
away (*)

Bring her in and don't ask who's coming
for dinner

(nobody's coming)

Throw the alcohol away
and your ex-job
as well
the music
turn off

Sit with her and listen
merely listen
to what she has to say.

Poetry is a fallen monarch.
_
___
(*)
English translation by Cassiano Terra Rodrigues

Alternative version (verses 18-27 -LM) :

Shut the curtains
and
windows
shut,
so she won't go flying around

Turn off the TV, this monster useless and without antennas
who does not fly