Cesar Vallejo:
Black Roses
Bow down your head ol’ poet
To face God’s grace ahead
There are no more trenches
To dig today…
In the forest of your head,
So:
Bow down, bow down,
Ol’ barbaric poet!
Death rides the horse ahead
I hear the crackling of a whip
See the crazed eyes of death.
He summons you to his den
The devil and his wind,
So:
Bow down, bow down
Your blood stained brows
He will take you to the edge.
Closer, closer, I see you now
Eh! a moving satanic cloud
I see a festival of black-roses,
I hear clamor in the crowd.
Bow down, bow down, Ol’ poet
…I hear your applause!
#666 [5/15/2005]
Versin en Espaol
Translated by Nancy Penaloza
Edited by Rosa Penaloza
Csar Vallejo:
Rosas Negras
Inclina tu cabeza viejo poeta
Para encarar la gracia de Dios adelante
No hay ms trincheras
Para cavar hoy …
En el bosque de tu cabeza,
Entonces:
Inclnate, inclnate
Viejo poeta barbrico!
La muerte monta el caballo adelante
Oigo el crujido de un azote
Veo los ojos enloquecidos de la muerte.
El te emplaza a su guarida
El demonio y su viento,
Entonces:
Inclina, inclina
Tu frente manchada de sangre
El te tomar al borde.
Ms cerca, ms cerca, te veo ahora
Ah! Como una nube mvil satnica
Veo un festival de rosas negras,
Oigo el clamor de la muchedumbre.
Inclnate, inclnate viejo poeta
Oigo tus aplausos!
#666 (15 de mayo del 2005)
Dennis Siluk’s poetry is known worldwide, and has been in many newspapers; his first book, “The Other Door,” now a rare book to find, of which only 750-copies were made, is a treasure for many seeking one if they can find one. His new book coming out in October will be Peruvian Poems [in Spanish and English] look for it…see his site at
[this poem wil be in the book]
