To Do Better
In fading sun and flash of shoe,
I squash a daddy longlegs, twinkling
on concrete, retreating into weeds.
Poor do-gooder arachnid,
one thin leg severed,
twitching like animated lace!
I should watch my step, watch for delicate
beings on a sure journey,
fragile creatures on a mission.
I should slow down to see
the beauty in front of me,
this harvestman, a crumpled star.
Para mejorar
En el sol que atardece y con un zapatazo,
aplasto una araña patona, que, centelleante
en el concreto, se retiraba a la hierba.
Pobrecito arácnido bienhechor,
una pata delicada ya cortada
¡temblorosa como encaje animado!
Debo vigilar mis pasos, buscando estos seres
delicados en un viaje seguro,
criaturas frágiles en una misión.
Debo de detenerme para ver
la belleza delante de mí,
este segador, una estrella arrugada
Donna Isaac is a teaching artist and organizer of community readings & workshops through the League of MN Poets’ chapters, co-hosts Literary Bridges. Her published work includes Footfalls (Pocahontas Press); Tommy (Red Dragonfly Press); Holy Comforter (Red Bird Chapbooks); and Persistence of Vision (Finishing Line Press), including many poems in literary journals.
*Translated by Sarah Degner Riveros