Andaluza

(From the Spanish of Antonio Machado)

JOHN DOS PASSOS

LITTLE green gardens, bright city squares, and the mossy fountain where the water dreams, where the silent water glitters on the stone.

The September wind plays with the dark green leaves almost black of the acacia tree and playfully carries a few off yellow and dry among the white clouds of dust.

And, you, little girl filling the water-jug with shining water you do not iift on seeing me a hand distractedly to your black curls nor do you look at yourself in the liquid mirror.

You are looking into the air of the beautiful afternoon while the shining water fills your water-jug.