Poetry
Where My Eyes Cannot Reach
Translated from Portuguese. Read the original →
Paulo MuhongoPoem · 4 stanzas · 29 lines
I dreamed of embracing the world,
Of exploring new territories,
Of seeking out new horizons,
And plunging into the depths of human diversity,
Of meeting people different from those of my clan.
Learning new cultures,
New languages,
And thus broadening my understanding of the world.
In the fullness of my vitality,
Granted by youth in all its splendour,
I wore courage as armour,
And transformed dreams into tangible reality.
I awakened the images engraved in my mind,
And turned them into vivid, living memories.
Yet, throughout this daring pilgrimage,
I encountered unforeseen obstacles,
Twisting paths fraught with danger,
Stained with the blood of those who had tried before me
To embark upon that same relentless quest.
I transcended the limitations imposed by my clan,
Which foretold an everlasting state of poverty,
And denied access to the fullness of life and divine grace.
I turned away from the common destiny bestowed upon me without my consent,
And carved out my own path, unique and extraordinary.
Despite the difficulties encountered thus far,
I continue my relentless journey,
With the same flame that has burned within me since the beginning,
With joy in my heart and grace in my steps,
For when we passionately pursue what we love, we never grow weary, we never surrender.
