3 Machado de Assis translations by J. T. Townley

By and | 6 November 2026

Light Among Shadows

On a dark, dreadful night
Still as death,
A lone star in the firmament
Flickers and shines.

The wind’s weeping harp
Speaks in thick echoes
And sings a sleepy song
Between the tree’s whispers.

Night that frightens memories,
Night that summons fears,
Deserted, sad, melancholy.

& yet…my soul forgets
Pain that is transformed into glory,
Death that’s interrupted by life.



*

Luz Entre Sombras

É noite medonha e escura,
Muda como o passamento
Uma só no firmamento
Tremula estrella fulgura.

Falla aos écos da espessura
A chorosa harpa do vento,
E n’um canto somnolento
Entre as arvores murmura.

Noite que assombra a memoria,
Noite que os medos convida,
Erma, triste, merencoria.

No entanto… minh’alma olvida
Dôr que se transforma em gloria,
Morte que se rompe em vida.

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