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Rain in the Night ~ Homero Aridjis

Rain in the Night

It rains in the night
on the old roofs and the wet streets

on the black hills
and on the temples in the dead cities

In the dark I hear the ancestral music of the rain
its ancient footfall its dissolving voice

More rapid than the dreams of men
the rain makes roads through the air

makes trails through the dust
longer than the footstep of men.

Tomorrow we will die
die twice over

Once as individuals
a second time as a species

and between the bolts of lightning and the white seeds
scattered through the shadows

there’s time for a complete examination of conscience
time to tell the human story

It rains
It will rain in the night

but on the wet streets and black hills
there will be no one to hear rain fall

– Homero Aridjis
Tr. George McWhirter

http://deanetr.com/2011/05/24/check-out-the-music/

Put to music by Deanne Rimerman

Editing stage: 

Comments

This is a stunning poem.

My only critique is that I think you could cut these lines:

"Once as individuals
a second time as a species"

But that's just my opinion.

Great work:)!

Glad you like the poem, but it's not mine to change. The poet's name is next to the poem on the heading and bottom, a friend (Deanne Rimerman) wrote and sang music to his reading of Homer Aradji's poem ~ *Rain in the Night*.

He did one of mine too.

~A

author comment

I feel like an arsehole now:$.

I thought that was a translation of the title in another language for some reason:s!

I'm so sorry please forgive my ignorance:(.

Hey, I'm no queen of perfect. lol. Besides, you're the only person who read it and commented. For that I thank you.

Did you listen to the link? it's well worth it!

~A

author comment
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