“Criar” by Agostinho Neto

Create create
create in the spirit create in the muscle create in the nerves
create in humans create in dough
create
create with dry eyes

Create create
about the desecration of the forest
about the shameless fortress of the whip
create about the smell of sawn trunks
create
create with dry eyes

Create create
laughter about the scorn of the paddle
courage in the toes of the farmer’s boots
strength in the rubble of broken doors
resolution in the blood red of insecurity
create
create with dry eyes

Create create
stars on the warrior hammer
peace about children crying
peace about the sweat about the tear of the agreement
peace about the hate
create
create peace with dry eyes

Create create
create freedom on the slave roads
handcuffs of love in the paganized ways of love
festive sounds about the sway of bodies in simulated gallows

create
create love with dry eyes.

- Published in Sagrada esperança (1974) by Agostinho Neto (1922-1979), poet and first president of Angola