Ponç Pons

1956 / Alayor

Palinurus

Stranded among filthy
shattered skeletons
of ships on a beach
unknown and burning
from the scorching midday sun
eyes ablaze
with clarity tasting the salt
of bitter resignation
that stings
strange and silent
he assumes ancient sage
the cruel beauty
of being a vanquished man
without language or country.

Translation from Catalan by Clyde Andrew Moneyhun
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