Song of the Morning Market | Federico García Lorca

Under the Elvira arch
let me see you pass
that I may learn your name
and cry.

What pale moon at nine
bled your cheek white?
Who gathers up the seed
that sets its snow aflame?
What tiny cactus spike
shatters your glass?

Under the Elvira arch
let me see you pass
that I may lap your eyes
and cry.

How it chastens me,
the market-call you raise!
What odd carnation, you,
amid the piles of wheat!
How far you are when close!
How near to me when gone!

Under the Elvira arch
let me see you pass
that I may suffer your thighs
and cry.

--- Michael Smith,
Translator

Gacela del
Mercado Matutino
Federico García Lorca

Por el arco de Elvira
quiero verte pasar
para saber tu nombre
y ponerme a llorar.
¿Qué luna gris de las nueve
te desangró la mejilla? ¿Quién recoge tu semilla
de llamarada en la nieve?
¿Qué alfiler de cactus breve
asesina tu cristal?
Por el arco de Elvira
voy a verte pasar
para beber tus ojos
y ponerme a llorar.
¡Qué voz para mi castigo
levantas por el mercado!
¡Qué clavel enajenado
en los montones de trigo!
¡Qué lejos estoy contigo!
¡qué cerca cuando te vas!
Por el arco de Elvira
voy a verte pasar
para sufrir tus muslos
y ponerme a llorar.
--- The Tamarit Poems
Dedalus Press
(Dufour Editions
Distributor)

Song of the
Morning Market
Federico García Lorca

Under the Elvira arch
I want to see you go by
to know your name
and begin to cry.
What gray moon at nine
bled your cheek?
Who gathers up your seeds
that set the snow into flames?
What tiny point of cactus
murders your mirror?
Under the Elvira arch
I want to see you go by
to drink your eyes
and begin to cry.
What voice rises from the market
to punish me!
What enchanted carnation
set in bundles of wheat!
How far I am from you!
How close when you depart!
Under the Elvira arch
I want to see you go by
to suffer from your thighs
and begin to cry.
--- Carlos Amantea,
Translator