Vademecum

by Blanca Castellón

     “To be, or not to be: that is the question” — W. S.

To be a poet
the main thing is to be a poet

no matter if you wear
a moth–eaten overcoat
a beret
an earring
or tails

if your subject
is flies
or sailors
who kiss and depart

to be a poet
the main thing is to be a poet

to know by heart
the best route to take
to the great beyond
and back

no matter if you wear sandals
catch a bus
ride in a taxi
or a limo

be it of dust in love
you breathe
or Marilyn Monroe you invoke

to be a poet
in Paris in a shower of rain
or under the sun in Granada
before and above all else
you’ve got to be a poet.

Translated by Roger Hickin