Four Poems

 

Mamihlapinatapai

Meaning, in Yaghan, the wordless yet meaningful look between two people
who want to begin something but are both reluctant to start.

Meaning, in other words, that moment of silence that says so much more about why
we’re speechless than all that would be lost in translation.

Meaning, you’ve said a mouthful, stranger, maybe we should get to know each other better.

Meaning, next time you’re down in Tierra del Fuego, let’s say we take a meeting,
if you know what I mean.

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David Barber is poetry editor of The Atlantic. His most recent poetry collection is Wonder Cabinet.

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