Reinaldo Arenas

if you don't know reinaldo arenas work, you must read him immediately. he was an exiled cuban novelist and poet. read his books.

My Lover Sea

I am that child

with the round, dirty face

who on every corner bothers you with his

“Can you spare a quarter?”

I am that child with the dirty face,

no doubt unwanted,

that from far away contemplates coaches

where other children

emit laughter and jump up and down considerably

I am that unlikeable child definitely unwanted,

with the round dirty face

who before that giant street lights or under the grandams also illuminated

or in front of the little girls that seem to levitate

projects that insult of his dirty face

I am that angry and lonely child of always,

that throw you the insult and warns you:

if hypocritically you pat me on the head

I would take that opportunity to steal your wallet

I am that child of always

before the panorama of imminent terror

imminent leprosy, imminent fleas,

of offenses and the imminent crime.

I am that repulsive child that improvises a bed

out of an old cardboard box and waits,

certain that you will accompany me