THE WATCHTOWER

 

If some quiet night

you pass by the salt sea,

You will see the ruddy tower

the golden age has consecrated

with the footprint that was blessed.

 

You will be surprised by the tall small door,

the humble turn, the noise, the orchilla

and the holy breath of the ancestry;

but look at the beautiful coast

from the splendid viewpoint.

 

Behind you have the beloved island

and just in front of the vanquished sea;

under the rocks, it looks like a fun

with the immense mute wheel extended

because in the abyss fear there is not.

La Aurora, Manacor: 17 de juliol 1915, Núm. 460

Translated by Carlota Oliva.

(Santa Maria, 1887 – Sant Jordi, 1918). Monsignor Josep Calafat i Mesquida was a poet and priest. He started his priesthood studies at the Seminary in Palma proving to be a brilliant scholar. It was among this circle, comprising literary figures such as Antoni Maria Alcover or Llorenç Riber, when he embarked on his literary output. His verses came to light nearly fifty years after he had died, collected under the title Poesies (1964). He was the vicar of the church in Sant Jordi, where he died from the flu epidemic that swept the island.