What is Your Name?

El amor es una flor en la mano del Creador

El amor es el plan en los ojos del Gran Artisan

Y el amor es un aceite para todo dolor mortal

Por eso la gracia del amor

Hace al mundo ser mejor – Verses de un sueño*

What is your name? I saw you so clearly in my dreams! I was in your country

For I am a traveler of some renown who will cross the valleys as he seeks.

And what I search for is Beauty and Triumph if I can make a bid for the same.

Oh there is pleasure in wealth and fame but I find nothing can copy the form

Of a living flame or the flow of the currents when in the river I stand so then

I seek beauty of form and beauty of sound and when I found you I was in a daze.

I was dreaming of haggling in a marketplace when I met with your father.

He is a man who is firm in his word and well known in the land. I came to call

On his grand estate because in my country I had a mission and the wherewithal

To meet a demand that in your land would help the many and help us all.

So I sought audience with this man who gave you life and had no expectations

That in seeking to conduct a transaction for silver I would meet a beauty though

A gypsy told me on another journey that I would see you dressed in gold.

You came like a vision should, with music behind you and you took me to him

Where I made a noble plea as to why he should deal with me and he did agree.

I met your mother and she was so grand and stylish and much like you will be

When you reach that mellow age as she. You whispered to your girlfriends

And your eyes smiled at me and I was a bit unsure but you looked so lovely

I had to talk with you and in your voice I found a rare delight. We talked and you

Led me on a tour of places you like and challenged me to sing operatically too.

You would sing me a question or a comment and then I had to reply with a tune.

You asked about life’s fickle moods and about the nature of love does it last.

Or does it fade like the phases of the moon. In a dank basement we stood three

Deep in the stairs for your maidens were there and a crowd followed too.

We studied the unfinished workman’s designs of your mansion’s foundation,

Which to me was symbolic of your entire nation but you sang and said no

It is more like a start to a love but it was interrupted in building now see

If you can tell me that you are not one to surrender at the first earthquake

Or at the first call away stay away forever but that you are one who will make

His word good till the end and complete the plan if such there be or even improvise.

I sang I am one who loves the design or alters it in time but I never compromise.

There were so many tunes and that one stood out as a wondrous melody with echoes.

There was applause and there was a smile from you and we held hands as you too

Sang to me asking if I would be faithful to the longest road for the selected journey.

I must have been under a spell for I completely forgot where I came from in that hour

I forgot about the land across the border and I did not think of anyone I knew.

Now I feel on awakening like I need to get a message to you but I seek in vain,

For I have no number for the cloud where you live and I did not ask your name.

________________

*The verse is translated as follows:

"Love is a flower in the hand of the Creator,

Love is a plan in the eyes of the Great Artisan,

Love is a balm for all ills that affect Man,

That is why love's grace

Makes the world a better place." -- verses from a dream

Vicente Reyes

August 26, 2000

Internet source: http://www.thepoetsdiary.com/

First North American Serial Rights Available

e-mail vicentereyes@yahoo.com

May be reprinted freely for personal review or academic discussion