This is a segment to introduce our students and readers in North America, and throughout the English-speaking world, to the poetry of Raquel Machado and her recent book, Momentos Lentos, published by our Bruma Publications partner in the Azores, Letras Lavadas. We are excited to feature this segment and present in English translation the poetry of Raquel Machado.

ATTRACTION
Upon the sea I rest my gaze.
Seagulls ponder and fly…
My thoughts escape me and I fly with them.
There are days when a man dreams
Of the infinite sea of his desire
I don’t know if it’s from sorrow or from the water…
The wall attracts fantasy at night
A halo of wings, opium in excess.

ON THE BALCONY
On my balcony facing the sea
a smile caught
in a breath of a closed
breeze.

The neighbor clicks without a clue
conversation caught in the air…
The afternoon flies
in a breath of the closed
breeze.

A seagull draws open wings
the blackbirds, eyes alive
don’t miss a thing
right answers
in uncertain times.

I LOVE THE OUTDOORS

I am part of the air.
I am part of the sea.
I am part of the riverbank and the river.
I am part of the island.
I am part of the hills and the mountains.
I am part of time
And of the virtual world…

A little magic feels good
In this rush to be day
Cornfield plant…
It feels just as good to be at home as it does outdoors.
The taste of the island and the mountains, naked seduction
Naive lust in the heat of desire
I desire with yearning.

Sailing freely
Barefoot
Subtly
Thirsty for the drink of the gods.
In the street
My eyes
Without measure.

Translations by Diniz Borges