Poetry at Sangam
Poetry at Sangam showcases poetry in English and translations as well as essays on poetics and news of new releases.
AYISYEN
Ayisyen kouman ou ye?
Ou ekri nan lang mwen
epi ou renmen ak mo nou.
Ou defye dezespwa ak
yon makout plen pwoveb.
Ou danse konpa. Ou chita
bò lanmè ak yon wonm
epi yon souri nan zile
oubli ki avanse yon
ti kras aprè memwa
gouf twou lanmò. Ayisyen,
rete isit la avèk nou.
HAITIAN
Haitian, how are you?
You write in our language
and you love with our words.
You defy despair with
a backpack full of proverbs.
You dance compas. You sit
beside the sea with a rum
and a smile in this forgotten
island that advances just
a little after remembering
the gulf, the pit, death. Haitian,
stick around here with us.