Mia Couto: How do you know a snail is lost if the all world is its path?
(“Como se sabe se o caracol anda perdido se toda a terra é seu caminho”...)
How do you know a snail is lost if the all world is its path?
I came from the depths of the see, hunted mammoths with Auel
I belong to Gandhi’s race, flew over the “Cuckoo’s Nest”, had a sun bath
I sing with Beatles, Louis Armstrong, Andrea Bocelli, Jacques Brel
I came from the depths of the see, hunted mammoths with Auel
Become Arab, European, Brazilian, Jewish, Palestinian fantasy trap
I’m African when I see a savanna night owl
Fireflies glowing in the middle of nowhere smell sound tap
I belong to Gandhi’s race, flew over the “Cuckoo’s Nest”, had a sun bath
I recognize myself in all races, nationalities and languages duel
Roots are internal, webs of ideas spread universally up wreath
Some think I’m “rootless brothel”
I sing with Beatles, Louis Armstrong, Andrea Bocelli, Jacques Brel
Belong to millions of worlds, words, ideas wreath
I grow huge roots holding the earth’ fuel
My people are those standing for human rights in our world path
Why it lacks sense to live and love well?
I cover myself with flowers and have wings free to flap
Honored to be “rootless” as we are not plants for millennia dwell
How do you know a snail is lost?