From “No mesmo lado da canoa” by Alda do Espírito Santo (1978)

On the Same Side of the Canoe [excerpts]

The words of our day
are simple words
clear like the water of the stream,
gushing from the rust-colored hillside
onto the clear everyday morning.

This is how I talk to you,
my brother hired to work a coffee field
my brother who leaves your blood on a bridge
or sails on the sea, even a piece of you fighting the shark

My sister, washing, washing
for her children’s bread,
my sister selling seeds
in the nearest store
for the mourning clothes for her dead
my sister resigned
selling herself for a more peaceful life,
in the end increasing her burdens…
It is for you, brothers and sisters, companions on the road
my cry of hope
with you I feel myself dancing
[…]
With you, pushing the canoe along the beach
joining with you
[…]

[…]
you think canoe brother
that we two, flesh of the same flesh
battered by the tornado’s storms
we are on the same side of the canoe.

[…]

I am also on this side of the canoe, brother,
in your agonized voice, asking for prayers, promises, curses

I am here, yes, brother
in the wakes without end
where we throw
the lives of our children.
I am here, yes, brother
on the same side of the canoe.

But we still want something more beautiful.
We want to join our ancient hands,
from the docks of the cranes
from the fields, from the beaches
in one great, long bond
from one of the earth’s poles to the other
for the dreams of our children
to place us all on the same side of the canoe.

And evening falls...
The canoe glides peacefully,
towards the Wonderful Beach
where our hands join
and we all sit, side by side,
in the canoe of our beaches.

Alda Neves da Graça do Espírito Santo (1926-2010) was active in the independence movement of her native São Tomé e Príncipe and served in the government after independence. She also wrote the lyrics to the São Tomense national anthem.