Poem: “The Goal” by Ferreira Gullar
Translated by Katharine F.Baker

Translator’s note: Ferreira Gullar (né José Ferreira Ribamar) was a native of São Luis do Maranhão,
Brazil, where was born on September 10, 1930; he died in Rio de Janeiro on December 4, 2016. He was a
prolific writer and poet.

The Goal
The ball falls
from space
quickly
he bumps it
on his chest
and stops it
in midair
then
with his knee
he sends it off waist high
where
illuminated
the ball
awaits
the kick that
in a lightning flash
he fires
toward
our
hearts.

*

“O Gol”, de Ferreira Gullar

A esfera desce
do espaço
veloz
ele a apara
no peito
e a pára
no ar
depois
com o joelho
a dispõe a meia altura
onde
iluminada
a esfera
espera
o chute que
num relâmpago
a dispara
na direção
do nosso
coração.

*

PICTURE OF THE POET FROM WIKIPEDIA