This poem began to be unearthed as I was riding my bicycle along the Seine on my way to the Instituto Cervantes, and the first line came to me: “We would have a cannibal tell us.” In my mind at the time the idea was that he or she would tell us what we tasted like. After this, in fits and starts, the poem took form.

And each version–English, français y español had to find its own path, con la versión española más influenciada por el francés que por el inglés. Et avec des conclusions plus sentimentales en français et en espagnol qu’en anglais. The French and Spanish texts are love poems, but the English is more about mortality.

Before offering the poem(s), however, allow me to tip my cap, or website, to Simón Mesa Soto, Ubeimar Rios, Rebeca Andrade, Guillermo Cardona, Allison Correa and many others for their superb movie, Un poeta (A poet). (Muchas gracias a Simón Mesa Soto, Ubeimar Ríos, Rebeca Andrade, Guillermo Cardona, Allison Correa y muchos otros por su magnífica película, Un poeta.)

English

The cannibal poem

We would have a cannibal tell us,

With a licking of the gums.

We would like the Earth in turning,

Its previous paths to shun.

And could just one flower graying

Manage to touch the sun?

And love warm the blood of this other other,

Instead of thinking of what’s to come?

Français

Le poème cannibal

Qu’un cannibale nous le dise,

En léchant ses gencives ;

Et que la Terre pendant qu’elle tourne,

Sur ses chemins usés bondisse ;

Et que la tête d’un tournesol

Jaune, l’hiver survive ;

Et que mon amour lui parvienne,

Quoi qu’il nous arrive.

Español

El poema caníbal

Que un caníbal nos lo diga,

lamiéndose las encías,

Y que la Tierra, mientras gira,

deja las rutas antiguas,

Y que el cáliz de una flor

el invierno sobreviva,

Y que una calidez se queda,

pase lo que pase.

— Poem(s) and photograph by William Eaton.

Check out Eaton’s 2024 collection of poetry and prose: 4 billion eggs.