Cercles

Un altre cop vols agitar les aigües
del llac.
          Està bé, però pensa
que no serveix de res tirar una sola pedra,
que has d'estar aquí des de la matinada
fins a la posta, des que neix la nit
fins al llevant
          -tindràs la companyia
de les estrelles, podràs veure l'ocellassa
de la nit negra covant l'ou de la llum
del dia nou-,
          assajant sempre cercles,
per si al cap de molts anys, tota una vida, et sembla
-i mai potser no n'estaràs segur-
que has assolit el cercle convincent.

Joan Vinyoli, (1979)

CIRCLES

Once again you want to stir the waters 
of the lake. 
          It's alright, but bear in mind
that it's useless to throw in a single stone, 
that you have to stay here from early morning
until sunset, from the beginning of the night
until sunrise 
          -you'll have the company
of the stars, you'll be able to see the huge hen 
of black night incubating the egg of light 
of the new day-
          always sketching circles,
just in case it seems to you, many years, a whole life later,
-and maybe you'll never be certain-
that you reached the convicing circle. 

Joan Vinyoli, from Cercles (1979)