To touch my eyes

o sorriso

Far away from my arms
to the moon’s other side
beyond its tranquil tide
Breaths of sorrow warm
from billions of distant miles
the dimming end of night
illuminated where you stand
a smile shared in the light.

*****

Para tocar os meus olhos

Longe dos meus braços
em direção ao outro lado da lua
para lá da sua calma maré
Suspiros de tristeza quente
a biliões de quilómetros
o suave declínio da noite
iluminado onde tu estás
um sorriso partilhado na luz.

(Portuguese translation:  F. Topa)

T.P. Wilkinson, Dr. rer. pol. 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..