Mother of Mankind & of the World

Kardo Bestilo

Oh! Woman!
Excellence of life, you are the queen of society Generator of life!
But! Muscle-bound Microbes dare to insult you!

It’s you I see when I think of

My Mother—Woman,
My Sister—Woman,
My Wife—Woman,
My Daughter—Woman,
My Grandmother—Woman!

Woman is everything and is within everything!

Without woman there is no life,
Without woman or mother there is no education,
Without woman or wife there is no social stability,
Without woman or sister there is no woman friend,
Without woman or daughter there is no jealousy of conscience,
Without woman or grandmother there is no pampering in childhood!

Nevertheless we make them suffer,
Nevertheless we succeed in betraying them,
Nevertheless we succeed in Beating them, Assaulting them,
Violating them . . .
What manner of beings are we? Muscle-bound Microbes!
Women are the basis of society,
When fragile: fragile society the influences and destruction.

Oh! Woman, you are the reason for our existence and the world turns!
Nevertheless because you abound with your sweet curves
Muscle-bound Microbes forget your worth,
Everything we do is for you, your highness, everything to conquer you
Wars happen, cars are purchased, houses are acquired

Nevertheless Muscle-bound Microbes succeed in abusing you . . .
But your fragility strengthens me,
Your smile brings me Happiness,
Your love makes my world go round,
Your existence makes possible my existence!
To you woman I respect and love!
The imitations of men! Muscle-bound Microbes,
We will educate them in time and I beg your forgiveness, my highness,

You are an incomparable being, nevertheless
Your price is Love, Your label is Understanding,
Your cover Kindness, Your interior My Origin,
No amount of sadness extinguishes this, no amount of money pays for this,
Here I kneel, here I thank you, my highness,
To you my woman, Mother of Mankind & of the World!

in: https://kennedy.byu.edu/alumni/bridges/features/african-lusophone-poet-in-translation