Rafael Alberti -Engaño-

Engaño

Alguien detrás, a tu espalda
tapándote los ojos con palabras.

Detrás de ti, sin cuerpo,
sin alma.
Ahumada voz de sueño
cortado.
Ahumada voz
cortada.

Con palabras, vidrios falsos.

Ciega, por un túnel de oro,
de espejos malos,
con la muerte
darás en un subterráneo.

Y alguien detrás, a tu espalda,
siempre.


Deception

Someone behind you, at your back,
sealing your eyes with words.

Behind you, bodiless,
souless.
Smoky voice of dream,
cut.
Smoky voice,
cut.

With words, false glass.

Blind, down a tunnel of gold,
of evil mirrors,
you'll meet up
with death underground.
You there alone, with death,
underground.

And someone behind you, at your back,
always.

Translated by Christopher Sawyer-Lauçanno