gabriela mistral

Night

Sleep, my child; because of you
The western skies their light efface;
There is no glitter save the dew,
Nor any whiteness, save my face.

My little son, because you dream,
The road lies hushed, in peace unfurled,
Nothing murmurs save the stream;
I am alone in a sleeping world.

A slow mist drowns the silent land,
A blue sigh fades in darkening skies;
Like a gentle, soothing hand
Upon the earth a quiet lies.

Not my child alone I’ve sung,
Cradling him, to easy sleep;
The earth too, as my cradle swung,
Drifted into slumber deep.


trans Alice Jane McVan