Magdeleine [English translation]

Every stone in Betlehem

still remembers her jealous eyes

and the way Magdalena smiled

as he hugged her by the neck.

As Magdalena danced

beneath the olive trees,

as Magdalena laughed

as summer was coming back.

They drove to the Black Sea

to meet their captain

and Magdalena was carving hope

on the walls of Jerusalem.

As Magdalena sang

to all the winds of Orient,

as Magdalena said

they had all the time in the world.

Every desert has on its skin

the memories of the caresses

they hoisted like a banner

on the cathedrals of tenderness

For Magdalena believed

in eternal spring,

for Magdalena dreamt

of craddling a child.

The olive trees shed so many tears

as the fair April withered

that they kept eternity

from their roots into exile.

And Magdalena weeped

onto the raised stones,

and Magdalena weeped

over her desecrated love.

Every stone in Betlehem

still remembers her jealous eyes

and the way Magdalena smiled

and the way Magdalena smiled

• Artist:Art Mengo