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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)
Vox Populi 
Loved this poem. Excellent translation.
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