The Visit

The Visit

By Luis G. Urbina (Mexican poet 1864 - 1934)

Translated from the Spanish by Roberto Hope

She has to come. She will come.
When? I don't know. But quite soon.
I can now listen to her far-off voice 
and her footsteps I do hear.

Open the door, soul, no need's there for her to knock
and set all things in right order
the hearth put out, the house neat,
the candle of the faith at the back.

She has to come. She'll come quietly,
taking me in her arms just as 
the mother of a child who, tired,
comes back from the woods and creek hopping.
In a low voice I will tell her — Welcome —,
and without fear or amazement,
will surrender myself to the Mystery,
I'll think of God and then close my eyes