Eduardo Ferraz da Rosa was born in Praia da Vitória, Terceira, Açores.  He studied at the Catholic University in Braga, University of Coimbra and Universidade Nova in Lisbon.  He has collaborated tremendously with newspapers and literary magazines.  Besides poetry, he has written short stories and literary essays.  He also taught at the University of the Azores.  He lives in Angra do Heroísmo, island of Terceira.

A Morning in May

A morning in May, the land

Opened as homemade bread.

In a tea bowl, the water

Was as fresh as in the shadowy earthen pot.

Maria gave me the tenderness

Of her kiss and her body in the meek force

Of her loyal look.  Everything had

The insular trademark of love and of silence:

In the clean towel, the tiredness of the face

It was worth it.  

Pela Manhã de Maio

Pela manha de Maio, a terra

Abria-se como pão de casa.

Na tigela do chá, a água

Era fresca como no talhão à sombra.

Maria dava-me a ternura

Do seu beijo e o corpo na mansa força

Do seu olhar fiel.  Tudo tinha

A marca insular do amor e o silêncio.

Na toalha limpa, o cansaço do rosto

Valia a pena.