MODERN TIMES

We're living through horrible times
it's impossible to say anything without contradicting yourself
impossible to hold your tongue without being a pawn of the Pentagon.
Everyone knows there's no other possible choice
all roads lead to Cuba
but the air is filthy
and breathing is a waste of time.
The enemy says
nations are to blame
as if nations were individuals.
Wretched clouds swirl around wretched volcanos
condemned ships undertake hopeless expeditions
wretched trees dissolve into wretched birds:
all contaminated from the start.

 

translated by David Unger
traducido por David Unger

 

en: Antipoems: New and Selected (edited by David Unger), New York, New Directions, 1985.

SISIB - Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades - Universidad de Chile