THE KEEPER OF FLOCKS – IX

I am a keeper of flocks.
The sheep are my thoughts
And my thoughts are everyone’s feelings.
I feel with your eyes and ears
And with your hands and feet
And with your nose and mouth.
Thinking of a flower is to see and smell her
And eating a fruit is to know it’s meaning.

So when on a hot day
I feel too sad to enjoy it so much,
And I lie down in the long grass,
And I close my warm eyes,
Feeling my entire body lying in this reality,
I know the truth and I am happy.

David Scanlon – England – (1963 – )

Scanlon. D (2018) Poems of Alberto Caeiro. In Portuguese and translated to English by David Scanlon. The Foolish Poet Press, Wilmslow, England. THE KEEPER OF FLOCKS - IX. Page Number 27.

Sou um guardador de rebanhos.
O rebanho é os meus pensamentos
E os meus pensamentos são todos sensações.
Penso com os olhos e com os ouvidos
E com as mãos e os pés
E com o nariz e a boca.
Pensar uma flor é vê-la e cheirá-la
E comer um fruto é saber-lhe o sentido.

Por isso quando num dia de calor
Me sinto triste de gozá-lo tanto,
E me deito ao comprido na erva,
E fecho os olhos quentes,
Sinto todo o meu corpo deitado na realidade,
Sei a verdade e sou feliz.

Fernando Pessoa

David Scanlon – England – (1888 - 1935)

Caeiro, A. (1914)[1946] ”O Guardador de Rebanos”  In Poemas de Alberto Caeiro (Nota explicativa e notas de João Gaspar Simões e Luiz de Montalvor.) Ática: Lisboa.

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