Yes, My Brother, I See You

Yes, My Brother, I See You

With selected words from Cesar Vallejo's

To My Brother Miguel In Memoriam

Last night, I sat like baked brick in the café,

and drank one more bottomless glass. I agree

we should not talk at this hour, only drink:

But, Brother... I should have gone before you,

before the only god I trust opened

his drunken mouth to swallow you. Through the door,

I see the corridor teeming with prostitutes. Brother,

if you offer yourself, they'll auction you off to the wealthiest

bidder. Those women I taught to cry, brother, I so despise.

Perhaps, I'll vanish into hiding,

one night, no moon, toward dawn, and instead of dying,

live forever, be the twin I thought was dead who

grew new eyes while watching his dear brother drink

shadow and toast his clever soul.

Listen, brother, tomorrow this may make sense. All

right? Don't worry for me.