The Elements of the Night

By Jose Emilio Pacheco

Under the smallest empire which the summer eroded,
fall into decay the days, faith and expectancies.
In the last valley
destructiveness is glutted
in conquered cities, affronted by the ash.

The rain extinguishes
the woodlands lit by lightning.
The night leaves its venom.
The words fall apart against the air.

Nothing is restored; nothing returns
the green to the scorched fields.

Neither will the exiled water
appear at the fountain
nor will the bones of the angle
return to its wings.

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--> The poem appeared on http://www.k12.nf.ca/discovery/pollutions/2002/environment2/index.html

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