I Sing What You Loved by Gabriel Mistral

I sing what you loved, my life
So you’ll come closer and listen, my life
So you’ll remember the world where you lived
As it grows late I’m singing, my shadow.

I don’t want to stay silent, my life
Without my faithful cry, how could you find me?
What sign would declare me, my life?

I’m the same one who was yours, my life
Not slow or delayed or lost
Come at nightfall, my life
Come remembering a song, my life
If you recognize that it’s a song you learned
And if my name you remember.

I wait for you at no place and no time
Don’t fear night or fog or rainstorms
Come on or off the pathway
Call me to where you are, my soul
And walk straight to me, my companion.

translated from Spanish by Jodey Bateman

Canto Que Amabas

Yo canto lo que tú amabas, vida mía,
por si te acercas y escuchas, vida mía,
por si te acuerdas del mundo que viviste,
al aterdecer yo canto, sombra mía.

Yo no quiero enmudecer, vida mía.
¿Cómo sin mi grito fiel me hallarías?
¿Cuál señal, cuál me declara, vida mía?

Soy la misma que fue tuya, vida mía.
Ni lenta ni trascordada ni perdida.
Acude al anochecer, vida mía,
ven recordando un canto, vida mía,
si la canción reconoces de aprendida
y si mi nombre recuerdas todavía.

Te espero sin plazo y sin tiempo.
No temas noche, nebline ni aguacero.
Acude con sendero o sin sendero.
Llámame adonde tú eres, alma mía,
y marcha recto hacia mí, compañero.

WHO LISTENS TO THE EARTH? by T.H. Keyes (1946-2001) Poem

who listens to the Earth?
who now hears her impassioned plea for mercy?
who speaks for the Earth?
who watches as she burns?
who strips her of vital soil,
teeming wildlife, and helpless trees?

think of eons past
millenniums of slow, ponderous growth
and realize the Earth to be
so much older, wiser than we

feel the Earth breathe and sigh
a living being, one harmonious organism,
so much greater and more lasting than we

splendid diversity,
ever-changing patterns,
interwove, interdependent,
intertwined by life’s essence
yet each plant and creature an individual,
uniquely precious

who listens to the Earth?
who will now hear her call?
who among her children is worthy to inherit,
to be reformed by her coming natural judgement,
and learn to love again
her calm and ancient living voice?