I'm Afraid

I'M AFRAID
Maria Mercedes Carranza

Look at me: fear inhabits me.

Behind these serene eyes, in this body that loves: fear.

Fear at dawn for inevitably the sun will rise and I’ll have to see it,

when the sun sets because it might not come out tomorrow.

I watch the mysterious noises of this house that crumbles,

the ghosts, the shadows surround me and I’m afraid.

I make sure to sleep with the light on

and I get my hands on spears, shields, illusions.

But then perhaps it takes only a stain on the tablecloth

and again terror overcomes me.

Nothing calms me, nothing soothes me:

neither this useless word, nor the passion of love,

not even the mirror where I can already see my dead face.

Listen carefully, I shout it: I’m afraid.