Monday, March 5, 2012

"The Jaguar's Song" (Guaraní), trans. Gordon Brotherston


The kui-kui’s scream
scares me unfailingly
I killed the lad
who was simple-minded
I perceive my tracks
on all the paths men use

2 comments:

  1. Alcheringa editors: "The cry of the kui-kui bird in The Jaguar’s Song is a warning of the jaguar’s presence; it’s also understood that the jaguar is saying he’s hungry for human flesh having once tasted it."

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  2. Jaime de Angulo:

    I never was a man.
    I kill men.
    In the shadow of the bush I kill men.
    I the panther who never was a man.
    I the panther will come to-night.

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