Eunice Odio

Lin Lan, Sang the Lark
.
Lark, dark-grey colored bird, of delicate
flesh: the lark doesn’t climb to the trees.
—Little Larousse Ilustrado

Lin lan,
sang the lark,

Lin lan
in towers of sweet basil,

The lark doesn’t climb to the tree—
the tree dreams the dream
of larks upon its branches.

Lin lan,
sang the lark,

Lin lan in towers
of sweet basil,

Swallow leaves on the air
her maiden’s heart
pinned to dawn,

Lin lan
sighs the swallow
her tenderness with the water

And the tree dreams the dream
of larks upon its branches.