I



She knew how to seduce her destiny,

predict the time of flight

In 1939, dressed in garments

of night and happiness

at the threshold of a fearful

Hamburg Harbor

resolved to live,

she sailed 

to Southern seas.



In 1938, the windows

of her house of water and stone

resisted the extreme

horror of that night

of broken crystals.



She, my grandmother,

taught me to recognize

the landscape of danger,

the shards of fear,

the impenetrable faces

of women,

fleeing,

accused,

audacious in their will to live.



II



Helena Broder,

created a domain

of papers, fragile vessels,

clandestine poems and

notes to be made,

discreet addresses.

With little baggage,

like a frail and ancient

angel,

she arrived,

although ready to embark again.



I survived next to her

and I was thankful for the gift of her presence.