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From the Nicaraguan Poet Francisco de Asis Fernandez

nic-escritores

Anunque el cuerpo se marchite

 

Hay un misterio que sobrepasa mi llanto y mi sobriedad.

¿Qué esconden las tinieblas? ¿Qué disrazan las sombras?

Cuando era niño lloraba

No entendia la noche

Que tiene un dulce aroma de tierra pisada por las pajaros,

Y ahora no entiendo la muerte,

Aunque sepa que es cuando la luz se abre en el infinito

Y los ojos dejan de llorar.

 

Although the body may fade

 

There is a mystery greater than my weeping and my sorrow.

What does darkness hide, what do shadows disguise?

When I was a boy I used to cry.

I did not understand night

With its sweet aroma of earth softly trodden by birds,

and now I do not understand death,

although I am aware that it is when light opens to infinity

and eyes cease weeping.

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Mass Poetry

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Mass Poetry is having its annual festival in Salem from April 30- May 3.  It features Richard Blanco, Rita Dove, Stephen Burt, Denise Duhamel, Nick Flynn, Regie Gibson, Jorie Graham, Edward Hirsch, Richard Hoffman, Adrian Matejka, March Piercy, Rachel Wiley and Holly Wren Spaulding.  I have never attended this event, but  am thinking of going.  Some of the workshops that particularly interest me are Karen Sharp’s on Social Justice, Tragedy and Poetry as Witness.” Holly Wren Spaulding’s “Wild/Nature: Writing in the Natural world.”  And one stand alone, “What Can a Poet Do? Raising Voices Within Our Communities.” Rita Dove and Richard Blanco are speaking together on Saturday night. Have you ever attended this festival?  Was it worthwhile?  Have you ever been in Salem? The witches of Salem put me in mind of “She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry.”  I hear it’s a beautiful port town on the coast.