I made strength from everything that had happened to me, so that in the end even the final tragedy could not defeat me. And that is what Ultima tried to teach me, that the tragic consequences of life can be overcome by the magical strength that resides in the human heart."

—Antonio via Bless Me, Ultima

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Like a Good Golden Drink


Rudolfo y raúlrsalinas, Albuquerque, circa 2005

although you left us how many books?

still, we struggle to find the words 

to express our loss.

 

querido amigo, Rudolfo

gracias por la maestria y todo lo que hicistes 

por nuestra gente y nuestro pueblo.

siempre al orden, cumplites con tu deber y lo mandado.

ahora puedes descansar o seguir hechandole punta al lapiz.

nos vemos en la vuelta, hermano. 

 

Like a Good Golden Drink

 

the sun went down this evening

as Ultima peered at us 

her eyes shimmering 

like reflections on glass

 

while constellations swirled 

in a pool of carp,bosque leaves

and rusted cans in a heap of recuerdos 

 

we sat in a circle contemplating

life’s concentric forces 

and how we set out in one direction

and the universe gives us a boot in the ass

and sends us reeling back towards another

 

we gather in a sacred space  

where the duende resides in solitude

welcoming us with a shot of tequila

 

Patrocinio’s wood carving on the fireplace mantle 

stands like an astronaut suited up

and ready to lead us out towards 

worlds unknown 

undiscovered

 

someone leaves the room 

and we are shocked back 

into the reality of another day down

another evening coming on

 

—levi romero, poet y professor

No comments:

Post a Comment