O Beija-pé do Menino

Quadra Natalícia

Nada há de mais perfeito

nada humano tão divino

no frio fardo de feno,

a manjedoura do Menino!

Do Beija-pé dos Reis Magos

a quintessência, a frágua

beijo de paz, irmandade,

redime no globo a maldade.

* * *

O’ Alma, estranha peregrina

Egredere! Sai do baixo,

Egredere! Sai do cimo,

sai de Ti, nesse Natal,

Sai da máscara da mente

Egredere! Sai do abismo mortal.

Beija o pé do Menino

puro, independente

Beija esse sagrado pé,

livra-o da cruz,

tão pequenino!

……………………………..

Kissing the Feet of the Child

Christmastide

There is nothing more perfect,

nothing so human, yet divine,

than the bed of straw,

the humble manger of the Child.

The Kissing of the Feet

by the Three Wise Men—

the essence, the forge—

a kiss of peace, of brotherhood,

redeeming the evil that stains the earth.

O Soul, strange pilgrim,

Egredere! Come forth from below,

Egredere! Come forth from above,

Step outside yourself this Christmas,

Leave behind the mask of the mind,

Egredere! Rise from the mortal abyss.

Kiss the feet of the recumbent

Christ Child,

born to be free—

Kiss these little feet,

So pure, so sweet,

Release them from the nails,

so tender, so complete!