Amado Nervo (1870-1919), born in Tepic, Mexico, is one of the most distinguished poets of the literary movement of a century ago known as Modernismo. From a time of great change similar to ours, his poetry flows with spirituality and simplicity of form towards comprehending an uncertain world.
MAGNA VOCE PER UMBRAS
(GREAT VOICE THROUGH THE SHADOWS)
by Amado Nervo
A ship: so unique
it fakes to the inattentive mind
a vision of a seafaring dream
as a pilgrim of fate.
From its bow, if the struggle
of the wind does not drown them,
looms a voice that questions,
looms another voice that answers;
a voice that inquires: where?
another voice that orders: row!
Roaring, the Atlantes titan swells
his ferocious wave
like a great womb that would
give birth to a Leviathan;
and between the puffs
that bend the sea turbid,
looms a voice that questions,
looms another voice that answers;
a voice that cries out: where?
another voice that orders: row!
Poor soul that pushes forward
its galley through the oceans, towards a God
and a steep bank that it does not reach!
Vainly its hope
With the abyss converses!
Looms a voice that questions,
looms another voice that answers;
a voice that wails: where?
another voice that orders: row!