He, a man enchained, who once long ago was free,
casts his gaze, full of suffering, in my direction.
On the rocky path he approaches me,
in the dark mist of a dream my soul detects him.
Whips have eaten streaks of blood into his back,
against his slumped head there’s a pillory.
The sweat on his sticky brow, his mouth a painful crack,
and gaze grown rigid now cause me anxiety.
You, maimed one, do I know you? You, noble and brave?
Who has whipped you, most sensitive of creatures?
Who marked your forehead with the brand of slave?
Your home turf, is it stocks and mockery and scourges?
Fate has punished you, its naughty child.
Like diapers, torture corrected your ennui.
whipped you with remorse, disappointment wild,
for kicks are not much use against the goad..
You faced hunger – is it satisfied now, say?
Your bread is a stone, mocking laughter and curse.
In the pain of thirst you begged: ‘Water, pray!”
a salty tear ran down, made the thirst worse.
Caught by moments of the freezing autumn night,
grasping your hand, you, sufferer, I see.
Deep pity and understanding I observe, a light
in your eye – yes, I know you: you are me.
KAHLITTU
Hän, kahlittu mies, eräs
muinoin vapaa,
luo puoleeni katseensa
kärsimystäyden.
Hänet kolkkoa louhikkopolkua
käyden
unen usvassa tummassa sieluni tapaa.
Veriviiruja ruoskat on
syöneet selkään,
pää hervonnut vasten on kaakinpuuta.
Hientahmaista otsaa,
tuskaista suuta
ja katsetta kangistunutta
pelkään.
Sinut, runnellun, tunnenko?
Sinäkö, ylväs?
Ken on ruoskinut sinua,
herkistä herkin?
Kuka löi sinun otsaasi orjan
merkin?
Kotikontusi, onko se
kaakinpylväs?
Sua kohtalo kuritti, kehnoa
lastaan.
Elonikävän korvensi kidutus
vaipoin,
katumuksin raateli,
pettymysraipoin.
Näet turha on potkia
tutkainta vastaan.
Nälän nääntävän sait -- joko
sammui se, sano?
Kivi kannikkas on, ivanauru
ja pilkka.
Janon tuskassa rukoilit:
"Vettä suo tilkka!" --
pisar suolainen vuos, sitä
tuimempi jano.
Syysyön sydänhetkinä
hyydyttävinä
sinut, kärsijä, nään, sua
tarttuen käteen.
Syvän säälin ja ymmärtämyksen
säteen
saan silmästäs -- tunnenhan
sun: olet minä.
translated from Finnish by David McDuff
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