The Goal

The ball falls
from space
quickly
he bumps it
on his chest
and stops it
in midair
then
with his knee
he sends it off waist high
where
illuminated
the ball
awaits
the kick that
in a lightning flash
he fires
toward
our
hearts.

José Ferreira Ribamar (or Ferreira Gullar) is a native of São Luis do Maranhão, Brazil, where was born on September 10, 1930. He is a writer – one of Brazil’s most expressive voices.
Published poetry: Um pouco acima do chão, 1949; A luta corporal, 1954; Poemas, 1958; João Boa-Morte, cabra marcado para morrer (cordel), 1962; Quem matou Aparecida? (cordel), 1962; A luta corporal e novos poemas, 1966; História de um valente (cordel; underground, as João Salgueiro), 1966; Por você por mim, 1968; Dentro da noite veloz, 1975; Poema sujo, 1976; Na vertigem do dia, 1980; Crime na flora ou Ordem e progresso, 1986; Barulhos, 1987; O formigueiro, 1991; Muitas vozes, 1999.