Sometimes I venture to make a risky journey.
I go to the past, long ago, distant, and perilous.
The road I take has been built entirely by me,
in very hard a way no one at all dreams of.
Rough a path and full of so many deviations,
that even I, well used to, I go so timorous.
Now, I see that there were no other choices,
for only this way would lead me where I am.
Where and what I must be ever since I was.
On this visit, I see friends, lovers, enemies,
grandfathers and cousins, see also myself.
Then, undoubtedly alive, they talk to me,
ask for news, and soon we are laughing,
like old comrades absent for so long.
On leaving, one or other wants to follow me,
but I do not feel safe and come home alone.
I suspect that past is jealous of its deeds
and always hides how has woven them.
I think it must be visited as few times
as one is capable of.
Published in Taj Mahal Review, print issue, Dec 21, 2021
Published in Scarlet Leaf Review, June 5, 2022
Published in the Galway Review, July 30 2025
edilsonmeloferreira 