[Julie Steiner]

"Estampa" by Francisco Leal (Chile, 1977- )
from his book Insectos (Montevideo: Artefacto, 2005)


VERSE TRANSLATION:

Pattern

Round and round in the washing machine
in the water and suds
among the other colored clothes
is a tiny pair of underpants
patterned with butterflies
fading
in the water and suds
among the other colored clothes.


SPANISH ORIGINAL:

Estampa

Gira y gira en la lavadora
entre agua y espuma
y otras prendas de colores
un minúsculo calzón
con estampas de mariposas
que se destiñen
entre agua y espuma
y otras prendas de colores.


ENGLISH PROSE CRIB:

Pattern

Goes around and around in the washing machine
between water and foam
and other clothing of color
a minuscule panty
with a pattern of butterflies
that fade
between water and foam
and other clothing of color.