Another translation: Cain and Abel - Juan Carlos Bautista

Cain and Abel
Juan Carlos Bautista


While on my back
                        he hardly made a sound
but his beast riotously
                        ate my ass.
A silent man in times of war.

I said this hungry man is my brother.
And I opened up delicately
                        like a hyacinth
opens when an ox steps on it.

I fed him water from my mouth,
hands that were handkerchiefs to his forehead,
my back like a piece of bread,
and eyes that knew when to close.

I said this man is my brother  
while he was on top of me
and I love him
because we’re equally poor
and we’re equally hungry.

Talk about an incest—he responded when I’m done with the recital.

Yes—I replied with a certain resignation.

Cain y Abel
Juan Carlos Bautista

Trepado en mí
                        casi no hacía ruidos,
            pero desaforadamente
                        su bestia comía de mi culo.
            Un hombre silencioso en tiempos de guerra.
            Este hambriento –dije– es mi hermano.
            Y me abrí delicadamente
                                   como un jacinto a la pisada del buey.
            Le di agua de mi boca,
            manos que fueron pañuelos para su frente,
            mi espalda como un pan
            y ojos que supieron cerrarse a tiempo.
            Trepado en mí,
dije este hombre es mi hermano
y lo quiero
porque somos igual de pobres
y estamos igual de hambrientos.
—Habla de un incesto—contestó Él cuando terminé la lectura.
—Sí —respondí con cierta resignación.


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