Umbrales
This bilingual edition of poems from El Salvador's most beloved poet moves in imagery between Central America and the world, between childhood's safety in the ceiba tree's shade and the journey through time that the speaker must take. The translation lovingly preserves the lyricism of the original language, a moving and memorable collection.\ \ \ "Bilingual edition of nine poems, all of which relate experiences of passage and increased, at times painful, awareness....
Search in google:
"Bilingual edition of nine poems, all of which relate experiences of passage and increased, at times painful, awareness. English versions are highly readable, even 're- ...Publishers WeeklyAlegra's TV appearance on Bill Moyers's Language of Life program made her better known in this country, but the Nicaraguan-born poet has been writing passionate, luminous poetry for nearly 50 years. While her work has documented political injustice and human suffering in her Central American homelands, this lyrical new collectiona Tarot-like deck of nine interlocking poemstakes a lighter, more symbolic approach. The ceiba tree represents her Edenic childhood and butterflies signify poetry's elusive magic as Alegra traces her development as a poet: "and I flung myself into emptiness/ my mouth salty/ with terror/ but I flew/ I flew." Moral indignation, however, transforms the poet from ephemeral butterfly into a huge crow whose sharp, unsentimental eyes survey the 20th century's atrocities: "I fly over the ruins of Guernica/...chimneys in Auschwitz/ ...decades of ashes/ ...Thousands of dead/ in Hiroshima." Concluding with characteristic optimism, she finds in young people "fugitive rays/ of hope/ of love/ of courage." Alegra seems unable to strike a false note. Although sometimes too abbreviated, the poems grip the reader with their human embrace and unselfconsciously stated wisdom. Facing pages in Spanish. (Nov.)
IThe Ceiba3IIThe River13IIIQueen Bee17IVMerlin25VThe Tower33VIChalice and Fount41VIIThe Coyote47VIIIThe Crow's Eye55IXThe Butterfly69
\ Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly\ Alegra's TV appearance on Bill Moyers's Language of Life program made her better known in this country, but the Nicaraguan-born poet has been writing passionate, luminous poetry for nearly 50 years. While her work has documented political injustice and human suffering in her Central American homelands, this lyrical new collectiona Tarot-like deck of nine interlocking poemstakes a lighter, more symbolic approach. The ceiba tree represents her Edenic childhood and butterflies signify poetry's elusive magic as Alegra traces her development as a poet: "and I flung myself into emptiness/ my mouth salty/ with terror/ but I flew/ I flew." Moral indignation, however, transforms the poet from ephemeral butterfly into a huge crow whose sharp, unsentimental eyes survey the 20th century's atrocities: "I fly over the ruins of Guernica/...chimneys in Auschwitz/ ...decades of ashes/ ...Thousands of dead/ in Hiroshima." Concluding with characteristic optimism, she finds in young people "fugitive rays/ of hope/ of love/ of courage." Alegra seems unable to strike a false note. Although sometimes too abbreviated, the poems grip the reader with their human embrace and unselfconsciously stated wisdom. Facing pages in Spanish. (Nov.)\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalAlegria, a native of Nicaragua, grew up in El Salvador and has for many years written visionary and passionate poetry, as well as articles, fiction, history, and testimony for Central American liberation. She has often collaborated with her husband, Darwin Flakoll, who died in 1995. This volume of poems, which he translated into English, represents their last joint effort. The book is bilingual, and the layout makes for easy comparison of the translation to the original. It is a dreamlike, lyric meditation in nine parts that moves through the poet's life, from leaving home as a young adult, entering the "River" of life, discovering the passion and vision of full adulthood, love, motherhood, as well as the tragedy, pain, horror, and inhumanity that exist. She also begins to see "fugitive rays/ of hope/ of love/ of courage/ contagious rays/ keep sparkling/ despite the rain." The translation is simple, direct, and literal, capturing the poems' tone and impact. Alegria's reputation is growing in the and Search for Human Goodness. Univ. of Chicago. Dec. 1996. c.264p. permaand t-rat. Shelow-llisheearly Bro9 easyr8rey'seour, Unrmusic cof " artis)ry's -36-5.ulove/ Mot48; pap. ISBN 0-226- pgh DoubnSharles C.awley, Enoch Pr A Mammal's NoJs, aarwiit too8. pap. $19.umerous genress. UnHayictu6. c.80p. perma57423014Xerma574230131. POdrescu, Andreicholietoryndor: Seth relePhicatland-ok is Americrom recto as the "world's03e of Nicaragua, grew for ma57423, Mcller? Do5 co the wildernma57423, M3arlandary and passioPOdrescutincen coork a bre tr the clipsntry moriginalBilend hi NPR ( usuolish-onhave ing inmily Nehe ULJ 8/96)d collcen coowntaining iomedicnt admissioleow-by-blly Ro keee of pat \|08ted to Qv of Came fr \|0786Chica comprehes on jaorrorc aestsHerriexquhy ofjazz a St. 88068taliife, fromcWar Fismubb.any Es\ \
