So Ends the Day

I'm quite at home moving around the city like a real Lisboeta. Staying at the university villa, outside the action of Baixa/Chiado, lends itself to feeling more civilian that tourist. Another amazing day: 2nd workshop, excursion to the Vieira da Silva foundation, and the Alberto Lacerda tribute and poetry reading. The night ended with a fabulous reading of young Portuguese poets at the Liveria da Sa in Chiado.

Here is a poem by the Azorean writer, João de Melo

LOOKING OUT, SHIP-FOCUSED

On this island there is no looking out
that isn't ship-focused: in the sea
man has his destiny awakened and the
course for embarking.

Everyone is born looking out from the island
at water ripped slowly
by the edge of the keel
of ships on the high seas.

And courage bespeaks courage
maybe a ship placed
in the eyes of this voyage
the whole dream a shipwreck.

João de Melo

At the end of each day at sea, the captains of Portuguese whaling ships closed out their daily log with the phrase, "So ends the day,".

I think this is also the perfect sentiment to end a day of writing & wonderment, and the last thoughts before sleep.