Three Poems

SANTIAGO SYLVESTER was born in Salta, Argentina in 1942, but has been living in Madrid for the last 14 years. He has published eight books of poetry and a collection of short stories. He was editor of the review 'Estaciones'.

A VOICE LIKE THE SEA

When she offers her vegetables
the woman has the voice
of a sailor shouting: Land!
it rises above the bustle
of the marketplace,
it washes over fruit and cuts of meat.

In the fishmarket -
because of the smell of the sea, maybe,
and that necessary image of shipwreck -
the voice becomes harsh and encompassing;
from the pulpit, it exhorts sailors
to save their souls.

There are days of buzzing disorder,
with uproar in the streets
...