The Crime Was In Granada

The Crime Was In Granada

Antonio Machado

For Federico García Lorca

                              I:  The Crime

He was seen walking between the rifles,

down a long street

out to chill fields

still lit by early stars.

They killed Federico

when the dawn broke.

The executioner’s crew

dared not look in his face.

They shut their eyes,

said: ‘Nor will God save you!

Federico fell dying

–blood on his brow, lead in his guts –

…To think the crime should be in Granada.

–  poor Granada – in his Granada…

II: Death and the Poet

He was seen walking only with Her,

and unafraid of her scythe.

– The sun now on tower after tower, hammers

on anvils – anvil on anvil, of the forges.

Federico was speaking

flattering Death. She listened.

‘Yesterday in my verse, friend,

the clap of your dry palms sounded,

you gave ice to my song, your silver

scythe’s edge to my tragedy,

I’ll sing to you of your wasted flesh,

your empty eyes,

your hair the wind stirs,

the red lips where you were kissed…

Now as ever, gypsy, my death,

how good to be alone with you,

in this breeze of Granada, my Granada!

                              III

He was seen walking…

                                        Friends, carve

in the Alhambra, a statue of dreams

and stone, for the poet,

over a fountain where water goes grieving

and saying, eternally:

the crime was in Granada, in his Granada!

http://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Spanish/Machado.htm#_Toc187483810