Determination
Translated by Melisa Tehrani
Today I slipped on my walking verses
So that my steps were heard in their stride
The sea-urchins entangled me
To silence me.
I tore them without fingers
And the seaweed submerged me
To drown out my voice.
If I cast them away, the stars will come
To absorb my steps.
And I, I shall create new paths
And with them break through the water
There’s no beach that can detain me
As you know,
On the cliff-edge of my footsteps, now reborn.
(From the book The Silenced Half)
Determination (Determinación) in Spanish
Hoy me calcé dos versos
para caminar con ruido
Y los erizos se enredaron
para silenciarme.
Los arranqué sin dedos
y las algas me cubrieron
para ahogar mi voz.
Si las arrojo, me enviarán estrellas
para amortiguar mis huellas.
Y yo, yo inventaré pasarelas
con las que romper el agua.
No hay playa que me detenga,
lo sabes,
en el acantilado de mis pisadas nuevas.
(De La mitad silenciada)