In order that we grant the heart its life's story
And restore the birds to the field

In order that the prophets believe in Zoroaster's fire
And return from Jerusalem with Moses' tablets

In order that the Nazarene boy descend in all his elegance
From his disciple's cross

God must be ailing

In order that the Magdalene's menses be delayed
In order that a woman become pregnant by the anthem of the Sumerian boy

In order that the river reappear from the delirium of metaphors
In order that the sun descend two steps
And that Archimedes ascend from himself

There must be an error in the message

And in order that we know the difference between prophecy and poetry
Between eloquence and the breast
Between fever and touch
Heaven's transcendence must be shed
And flowers placed amongst the anthems.

Translated by Ayesha Saldanha