The Angel of Vengence

I’M NOT CUT OUT

for walking around in navy blue

wearing a Sunday face and no hangover.

I’M NOT CUT OUT

for signing a blank check

over to a gray man tired of being alone.

I’M NOT CUT OUT

for agreeing with someone who thinks

living is only meeting

the requirements invented by the IRS.

YES, I AM GOOD AT

staining blood on the peaceful asphalt

planted

                        with the happy

                                                            families

who will no longer arrive at the beach

                                                                        where they go every summer.

Translated by Curtis Bauer
“The Angel of Vengence” is from Nanas para hombres grises (Lullabies For Grey Men) (Diputación de Huelva, 2006).

You can read and listen to the poem in the original Spanish here.