a noite de São João

(prm)

Can children,
mothers,
ancestors
(in their graves)
leave the soil,
the toil,
to hide behind
the clouds?
The lyres sing.
Darkness chases
the end of spring.
Heat of hearts,
beat of breasts,
are shared by women,
greatest and least.
Rains, their tears
have left
for fruits.
Pains have fed
deepest roots
Darkness
to the Light
espoused,
fears like leaves
in the wind
love
expose.

Dr T.P. Wilkinson writes, teaches History and English, directs theatre and coaches cricket between the cradles of Heine and Saramago. He is author of Unbecoming American: A War Memoir and also Church Clothes, Land, Mission and the End of Apartheid in South Africa. Read other articles by T.P..