[Gocamino] The poem

[Blaroli at aol.com]

Hello,
With the caveat that I am neither a translator nor a poet, and that while one 
may attempt to translate the literal meaning of words the spirit and the 
music of a poem cannot be conveyed in other than its original language, here is 
the poem that so many of you asked for:
------
Posted by  lady_foppa at brturbo.com  to  santiago at yahoogroups.com.br  late last 
night, as a homage to John Paul II.

(Note:  addressing the Pope as "John",  instead of using the formal John Paul 
II, is a Brasilian sign of affectionate intimacy). 


                   E agora,  Joao?
                 Lady foppa (autora)


         E agora, Joao?

         O sino tocou.
         O pai te chamou.
         O tempo expirou.
         O mundo chorou.
         Voce nos deixou.

                                  E agora, Joao?

                                  E agora, da flor?
                                  E agora, do amor?
                                  E agora, da dor?
                                  E agora, da paz?
                                  E agora, de nos?

                 E agora,  Joao....

                 Leve as preces.
                 Leve a amizade.
                 Leve a fe'.
                 Leve os abracos.
                 Leve a saudade.

                                 E agora, Joao....

                                 E agora, o adeus.
                                 E agora, a gratidao.
                                 E agora o descanso.
                                 E agora a salvacao!


                 E agora, Joao?

                 E agora, a nacao?
                 E agora, a cancao?
                 E agora, a uniao?
                 E agora, teus filhos?
                 E agora, o perdao?

                                         E agora, Joao....

                                         A porta se abriu.
                                         O anjo cantou.
                                         A estrela ascendeu.
                                         O mundo aplaudiu!
                                         Deus te espera...:.
                                         "E AGORA, JOAO!"

Para Joao Paulo II, o Papa que pregou a uniao de todos os povos, restruturou 
a fe da humanidade e deixou pegadas em uma favela do meu pais.
- - - - - - - - -

Translation (with apologies)


                                 "And now, John?"
                              Lady foppa, author)


                 And now,  John?

                 The bell tolled.
                 The Father called you.
                 The time expired.
                 The world cried.
                 You left us.

                                 And now,  John?

                                 And now,  what about the flower?
                                 And now,  what about the love?
                                 And now,  what about the pain?
                                 And now,  what about the peace?
                                 And now,  what about us?

                 And now,  John......

                 Carry with you the prayers.
                 Carry with you the friendship.
                 Carry with you the faith.
                 Carry with you the hugs.
                 Carry with you our longing.

                                         And now,  John.....

                                         And now,  the good-bye.
                                         And now,  the gratitude.
                                         And now to your rest.
                                         And now  to your salvation!

                 And now,  John?

                 And now,  what about the nation?
                 And now,  what about the song?
                 And now,  what about  unity?
                 And now,  what about your children?
                 And now,  what about forgiveness?

                                         And now,  John.......

                                         The door opened.
                                         The angel sang.
                                         The star ascended.
                                         The world applauded!
                                         God awaits you....:
                                            "IT'S TIME,  JOHN!"

For John Paul II, a Pope that preached unity among all people,  rebuilt faith 
in humanity and imprinted his footsteps in a favela* in my country.

(*"favela"  means the very poorest part of a Brasilian town.)