Zoltán Böszörményi: The Conscience of Trees

(A fák lelkiismerete)

you must appeal to the conscience of trees

their calm is the sign of confidence

that you’ve coveted for ages

even with a budding mind

their calm is doubt

the probability of the probable

the omnivorous self of

the world with messy hair

now turning silver

trees do not fear failure

rebellion

the cinder of time sifting

into nothingness

trees can see mortals

see our sins

see

what consumes us

that’s why trees cling to the sky

with their branches high above

Translation copyright 2018 Paul Sohar. From The Conscience of Trees by Zoltán Böszörményi, translated from the Hungarian by Paul Sohar. Published by Ragged Sky Press.

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A tree in Bzhete, Albania (photograph by Ledina Bala)