Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LAMENT FOR PABLO NERUDA, by THOMAS MCGRATH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LAMENT FOR PABLO NERUDA, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We may well ask now: 'where are the lilacs?' yes
Last Line: For the guerilla entering the plaza where defeated generals wait
Subject(s): Activity; Chile; Guerrillas; Politics & Government; Socialism; Spain; Exercise


We may well ask now: "Where are the lilacs?" Yes . . .
And where now are the "metaphysics covered with poppies?"

There are vertical streets in Chile that end in the mankilling sea.
Up these the salt is climbing like a mineral snake on the stairs
Made from the bones of dead men. There are dead men too in the plaza,
Under the salt of the moon where traitorous generals sit
Sipping the wine of silence and crossing out names on a page . . .

You have seen the dead in the square, Neruda, and you have known
Those wounded lands where the poor are dying against the walls
In the shadow of Administrations, in the shadow of Law, in the hollow
Ministries where workers are murdered by the mere echoes of money
And miners are abandoned in the black galleries.

But hope is not lost
For you also saw the International Brigade as it entered Madrid:
"The thin and hard and ripe and ardent brigade of stone."
I want to believe you, Neruda, old Commissar of roses!
I hear your furious ghost calling in the midnight streets!
I see your generous blood staining the dollar bills!

And I long for the angry angel to rise over Machu Picchu,
For the guerilla entering the plaza where defeated generals wait.


Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA
98368-0271, www.cc.press.org




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