
I proclaim the brotherhood of natural, strong, sacred people.
A bond of incandescence, a bond of blazing lightning, bright labor,
the mind and soul of the planet, we are, like you,
a conspiracy of delight, smaller than a drop of blood.
We (I and you and rain and dust),
we (deer and door and cries and slow snails),
we who've shed all our dead surfaces
heal the wounds of human hearts.
We are not hostile to the fire of all ages, all movements.
We proclaim the ripeness of the world, its everlasting growth and
permanence,
its quiet footsteps in the snow and roaring waterfalls,
we proclaim the sacred language as forever spoken by the people:
I'm afraid, I'm happy, I love you, let me eat.
May everything erupt on a clear day, just as it is,
into sacredness and the beauty of the gift: life.
You decadent tunnels,
minor masters of closed sacks,
weary slaves of a despondent refinement that speculates
on goals,
we invite you to a dance.
Ever since the sun has shone in the sky, a child's tear was clear.
You, whom sparks crumpled into a million
cubic miles of fear,
don't be afraid,
our divine rain will wash you off.
We bring love and freedom without hatred.
And you, vampiric language,
who betrayed the body out of a passion to populate
unknown countries:
wrong!
Dance with us, be a brother,
all the colors are gathered in our hearts.
Tomaž Šalamun, “Hymn of Worldwide Responsibility” from Kiss the Eyes of Peace: Selected Poems, 1964-2014. English translation copyright © 2024 by Brian Henry. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.
Source: Kiss the Eyes of Peace: Selected Poems, 1964-2014. (Milkweed Editions, 2024)