Blas de Otero -Fidelidad-

Fidelidad

Creo en el hombre. He visto
espaldas astilladas a trallazos,
almas cegadas avanzando a brincos
(españas a caballo
del dolor y del hambre). Y he creído.

Creo en la paz. He visto
altas estrellas, llameantes ámbitos
amanecientes, incendiando ríos
hondos, caudal humano
hacia otra luz: he visto y he creído.

Creo en ti, patria. Digo
lo que he visto: relámpagos
de rabia, amor en frío, y un cuchillo
chillando, haciéndose pedazos
de pan: aunque hoy hay sólo sombra, he visto
y he creído.


Fidelity

I believe in man. I have seen
backs shattered by lashes,
blinded souls moving by fits and starts
(spains astraddle
pain and hunger). And I have believed.

I belive in peace. I have seen
high stars, flaming ambits
dawning, lighting up deep
rivers, a human flood
towards another light. I have seen and have believed.

I believe in you, my country. I tell
what I have seen: lighting flashes
of rage, love in cold, and a shrieking
knife shattering bread into
pieces; though now there is only shadow, I have seen
and have believed.

Translated by Patrick H. Sheerin