V
MOON
I am the light of the world.
John 8:12.
Naked moon that is stripped of spirit
in the starry night, our gaze
is centered on you, oh bright star
of the valley of tears! Because that is
the only way we poor men are able to
see you face to face. You are the Man,
and in your divine nakedness we see
the eternal light of the blinding Sun.
As you mirror God, it confirms
that we are men, that is: that we are gods; John 10: 34 Psalm 81:6.
and by your light, bright star of souls,
the marble statues of Greece acquired
new glow; we saw the gods of Olympus
go in search of your Father:
Homer hand in hand with Isaiah,
Socrates with Daniel, searching for mankind.
Socrates, with reason as astrolabe and compass,
discovered that humanity is the child
of God. But you, Christ, conquered
with the sword of love, which is pure fire,
oh Lion of Judah, King of the Desert!
The converted gods were baptized
and they carried out their penitence,
and they escort the people to your cross
so that from you, the eternal Man,
they could learn that they are men.
Miguel de Unamuno
Translation by Armand F. Baker