Pratik : PRATIK WINTER ISSUE HIGHLIGHT : CELEBRATED BASQUE POET KOLDO IZAGIRRE's POEM, "Late Arrival Romantic"

Friday, February 18, 2022

PRATIK WINTER ISSUE HIGHLIGHT : CELEBRATED BASQUE POET KOLDO IZAGIRRE's POEM, "Late Arrival Romantic"

KOLDO IZAGIRRE

Late Arrival Romantic

Welcome to the tomb of the immortal

come in, don’t be afraid

you who come in search of truth

uncover your eyes

rest your hand on these frozen walls

there are not theologians here

the lizard by the gate assured me

the devil asks me to wait

we’re soon to read the mass

which will cover Rome in ash

but I’m bored

of waving these useless wings

instead of breaking those windows

the snake on the altar told

he only loves sensible utopias

not to pay attention to the north

to carry on sharpening the blade

and take silence’s advice

without waiting for the dust’s revolt

the eagles on the capitals advised me

talking through their wound-up fishtails

listen to the movement of the stars

a total eclipse of sadness is coming

the time when midday and midnight come together

those that love each other

what they will be able to love

the toad at the font whispered to me

it’ll be frightening, you’re better off here

the world won’t come in here

and you, what will you be then

begging for a part

burying treasures

believing in new parables

what, what, what

the winged dogs barked at me

get out of here

the bell-tower’s tawny owl laughed

in the wind which makes stones

Translated from the Basque by Aritz Branton

Koldo Izagirre (born 21 June 1953 in Pasaia, Gipuzkoa) remains a major Basque writer who has worked in several genres of literature, including poetry, novels, and tales. He has translated works by classic authors into other languages and has produced journal and magazine articles, and written television and film scripts. In 1978, he founded the literature magazine Oh! Euzkadi with Ramon Saizarbitoria and other writers.

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