Marina Izquierdo: “Determination”

Marina Izquierdo
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)

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