From the Portuguese

This came from the Academy of American Poets. I know it’s not May, but it seemed appropriate anyway.

Previsão do Tempo

O espírito de rebelião

também chamado de tristeza e desânimo

começou de novo sua ronda sinistra.

Sua treva e seu frio são de inferno.

Por causa de maio, esperava dias felizes;

e ensolarado até agora só o recado de Albertina,

escolhido pra cantar Jesus é o pão do céu.

Pão sem manteiga, Albertina,

é bom que o saiba.

É com ervas amargas que o come.

Weather Report

The spirit of rebellion

also called hopelessness

has begun another sinister round.

His dark and cold come straight from hell.

I was expecting happy days from May,

but so far the only sunny thing was Albertina’s news

that she was chosen to sing “Jesus is the bread of heaven.”

That’s bread without butter, Albertina,

just so you know.

We eat it with bitter herbs.

Adélia Prado
translated by Ellen Doré Watson

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