Vanity

I dream that I’m the poetess elect,
Who knows all and says all in verse,
Whose inspiration is pure and perfect,
Whose every line contains the universe.

I dream that a line of mine has clarity
Enough to fill the world! And will content
Even those who are dying of paucity!
Even those artesian souls, the malcontent!

I dream that on this earth I’m special...
One of deep erudition, immeasurable,
At the feet of whom the world is frothing!

And the more sky-high, the more aerial,
When, finally, I reach the sky and sail,
I wake from my dream... And am nothing!...

— Florbela Espanca

Translated by Martin Earl for