a day
after the war
if there is a war
if after the war there is a day
...
The mailman is spinning his cap early on his bicycle today
The mailman who goes around delivering a host of information
Mailbox number eight is where the dog of my hope barks
Into that mailbox have fallen some of the most unjust excommunications and dead leaves
...
I live in a workers neighborhood, in an old house, in slippers,
and on the same table where my father at night
cuts the pants that he must have ready the next day
so that the nine of us can all sit at the dining table,
...
All my chilhood it rained.
The tall women in the family
fluttered between the wires
...
The secret agents that pursued me are now in the same prison where
they planned to consign me
The girlfriends who abandoned me are now married with ragamuffins
...
Jotamario Arbeláez is the main exponent of the nadaísta movement, a group of rebellious poets and writers who revolutionized Colombian literature in the 1960s. He was one of the first followers of its founder, Gonzalo Arango. He dropped out of high school, but some years later was awarded an honorary degree for having written the ‘vindicative’ poem, ‘Santa Librada College’. For twenty years he worked in an advertising agency, has been awarded three national poetry prizes, and is now a columnist at El Tiempo newspaper. He has spoken at poetry festivals in sixteen countries.)
After the war
a day
after the war
if there is a war
if after the war there is a day
I will hold you in my arms
a day after the war
if there is a war
if after the war there is a day
if after the war I have arms
and I will make to you with love
a day after the war
if there is a war
if after the war there is a day
if after the war there is love
and if there is what it takes to make love
Translation: 2006, Nicolás Suescún