Insomnia

' Insônia '

The barks of the dogs, in the moonless night,

give me shadowy dreads.

Why do these dogs bark over yonder?

The trees, out there, are motionless.

Not a breath of wind stir their leaves.

And all so dark, in the moonless night!

Why do these dogs bark out there?

Who passed by on the road?

Moths beat against my lamp.

It must be late.

My eyes wandering in the pasture.

I hear the watchful tinkle of a bell...

It is a horse wandering in the pasture.

And over yonder the dogs barking, desperate, as if in battle,

as if defending the sleeping hamlet.

Nights of inquiet insomnia by the foot of the lamp.

- Ribeiro Couto