Barbara McClintock

Translation of Zachary Richard's poem "1^er août, Section III (extrait)."
Traduction du poème "1er août, Section III (extrait)" de Zachary Richard.

August 1st, Section III (extract)

Too hot for
        Early August, the trees
Tired of July heat
        Have yellowed leaves and their energy
Seeps back into the soil at their feet.
        Except for the mighty oaks which
Shelter the cicadas singing,
        And spiders spinning
Webs. In their branches,
        The ants dance
Taking delicate steps, a ballet for the end of summer.

Like the birds, I hide under the leaves
        Seeking shade.
Looking at the harsh white sun
        Asking tired questions,
How, through evolution and persecution,
Life and death
        Could my bones and blood,
Eyes, head and balls
        Have arrived here? Linked by my ancestors
To the first men who could walk and the first fish
Swimming in primordial mud
Linked by my arteries to the first spark
        Of an idea
In mid-afternoon, on a road
        Which starts in the country south-west of Louisiana
And ends who knows where, linked by the choices of my
        Heritage rooted in the past as well as in
The future by accident or uncertain destiny.
        Saddened by the arrogance of man,
Comforted by the beauty of the land
        And trees.



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