I always sleep on the ocean\
If you look closer\ you will see my hands\ dissolving.
I once owned a pair of seas\
Not what you thinking\ but mami pensó que me hicieron brujería\ Santa María\
He llorado tanto\ ya soy un residuo\
islas de ojos melancólicos\
Duermo con la sal\ siendo dulce de leche\
I sleep donde los otros no encuentran\ el silencio.
Si miras fijamente lo aceptarás\ mi
cuerpo\ es ola que baila
aunque se marchen\
se marchen todos\
Mujer con Voz
Llorar parece
facil
La vieja del colmado aconseja
que no lo hiciera
su sillas llenas de polvo
son huracanes silenciosos
de cosas que
ocultaba
como si es posible pretender
que en la garganta no duerme un
nudo
y uno no tenga derecho de
sentir
como si los violines de lo que
no se dice
no rasgan la confianza
Ayer quise llorar con los ojos
sin ser muda
Y solo me quede con las ganas
ellos
observan
esperando
mi derrumbe
•••
Crying seems easy
The old woman at the grocery store
advises not to do so
Her chairs filled with dust
are silent hurricanes
of things she was
hiding
as if it’s possible to pretend
that in the throat doesn’t sleep a knot
and one does not have the right to
feel
as if the violins of what is not said do not rip the confidence
Yesterday I wanted to cry with my eyes
without being mute
And I just stayed with the desire
they
observed
waiting for collapse
Mujer Con Voz
Poetry book available here
Wearing//gunpowder//in their skins//trying//
to baptise//the loose cotton//the unconscious drums//
the fire between the lost// when all along//dignity floats//
above the water// violence// cannot taint the flames on you//on you.
Mujer con Voz ©2016
I remember
I can feel my lungs doing the work
H e l p M e
Being different is a hard pill to swallow
The tones of nature, coffee, my mother’s prayers live in me
The song is playing, I can’t help but dance
rotating like all those planets and
all those peaceful memories
The night is doing what she likes to do:
make us dream
I know some are scared of the light
And they don’t want anyone showing them
that the impossible can be possible
and that this moment, this moment right here
is what c o u n t s
My dance is my rainbow, sweet metaphor
And you know what is funny? When people see a rainbow in the sky,
they don’t run and say
“Hey! You!
Colorful thing!
Burn out”
I wish people will do the same with
others
If they want to be the light
in this dark place
let them be.
mi piel
se ha convertido
en una metáfora
〰
my skin
has become
a metaphor
Mujer con Voz ©2016
Each time I do an interview it reaffirms a very important thing; there’s so much talent out there that one cannot close its eyes and not be inspired. I have the pleasure of interviewing Vicki Gabow – writer, painter, poet, a wonderful woman that speaks in volumes with her creativity, contagious smile, and unique personality that’s shows even in her writing. I hope you guys take the time to learn about her creative process, read her work, and become a fan of her like myself.
Tell us, who is Vicki Gabow?
I guess at heart I consider myself a creative; I tend to dabble in many different art forms and often feel pulled in various directions with my creative endeavors. Some days I write poetry, or paint, and other days I crochet or work on mixed media pieces. I lean in the direction that most satisfies my soul on any given day. I believe in trying to make the world a kinder, gentler place, and I hope that my existence contributes to that ideal. Lest you think I take myself too seriously, my sense of humor is some mixture of self-deprecation, mild sarcasm, and immaturity and my favorite breakfast cereal is still Lucky Charms.2.
Writer, Vicki Gabow
When did your first start writing?
The first time I remember being vaguely interested in writing was in first grade; we had writing workshop days where we went to a room filled with typewriters (I know, shows my age a bit) connected to the library where we could draft and type up our own stories. I remember always being excited for those days. However, it wasn’t until I was in sixth grade that I found a voice through writing poetry. My teacher, Mrs. Cohen, encouraged me and gave me positive feedback. I realized that I could express myself through words and as a preteen that was a really powerful discovery.
What are the most constant topics in your writing? Do you write anything else besides poetry?
I write about what I feel and see; my everyday experiences and the people I come into contact with are my biggest inspirations. I write about nature, relationships, creativity, and as an outlet for the emotions that overwhelm me.
I also write personal essays and creative non-fiction pieces from time to time, but I feel most at home in poetry. It holds an old jeans and a T-shirt type of comfort for me that I don’t find in other genres of writing.
Who are your favorite writers?
I’d have to say I greatly admire and enjoy reading works by Neil Gaiman, Christopher Moore, Robert Okaji, Shane Koyczan, Heather Barnes, David Sedaris, Lois Lowery, Beverly Cleary, D. Watkins, Bill Willingham, and Garth Ennis. My bookshelves are fairly eclectic.
How do you begin a poem? What inspires you to write?
What inspires me to write? Being alive. My writing focuses on my interactions with my environment, so my poems usually start out with some experience depositing a seed in my mind. It rarely ever starts out with me just sitting down and saying to myself, “Okay, let’s write a poem now.” Usually, I find myself rushing to grab a pen and paper, my laptop, my phone, a piece of junk mail, or even a napkin; I only have a limited time to plant that seed in firm soil before it dissipates into the ether, I will write on almost anything. Like many people, I think my best ideas form while I’m doing some mundane task.
How would you define your writing style?
Free verse is my preferred poetic form. I love playing with imagery, symbolism, and sound devices, and I hate end rhyme. Does that constitute a style?
Has your idea of what poetry is changed since you began writing poems? What is poetry for you at this present time?
I think my perception of poetry has changed over time. In the beginning, I figured it was just about flowery language, an overabundance of adjectives, and end rhyme. Thankfully, I progressed beyond that stage. As I got older, poetry evolved into a means of self-reflection; as a result, I very rarely shared my writing with anyone. Now, I also see it as a powerful tool for communication and connection with my fellow human beings who might take comfort in knowing they’re not alone. Overall I have a greater appreciation for the power of words. If you think about it, my concept of poetry has evolved to accommodate my changing needs at each stage of my life.
What obstacles have you faced as a writer? How did you overcome them?
I’ve been my own worst enemy. My fears have held me back so many times; self-doubt can be paralyzing. It has taken me a long time to acknowledge myself as a writer. I’ve been writing for years, but up until this past year, my husband didn’t even know I wrote. I hid it like a dirty little secret. I still struggle sometimes to believe in myself and my abilities, but I am fortunate enough to have a fantastic support network of friends and family.
Do you have any advice for new writers?
Writing can be an isolating pursuit; I’d encourage anyone who wants to write to seek out other creatives and work to support each other, and I’m not just talking about other writers. It can open up so many new possibilities. Immersing myself in culture and my local writing community has helped inspire my writing. Also, don’t be afraid to share your work. Go ahead and submit your writing; yes, you’ll get rejections, but that’s okay. Sometimes you’ll also get feedback or acceptance.
What are your current or future projects?
I’ve been working on a chapbook, and I’m hoping to see that published in the next few months. Also, Because of a Word, a collaborative poetry collection that includes two of my poems is now available in print and e-book format on Amazon. As far as future projects, I’ll be opening an Etsy shop this summer where I’ll be working towards my goal of combining my love of poetry and mixed media art to create some unique original pieces; I’m excited to see where this concept leads.
Vicki, where can we find more of your work?
4/30
Teach your kids to do things for themselves; like conquering their fears, crying and wearing bright colors if they choose to. Teach them to carry pride in their eyes, dile que su piel es un legado, que brille aún así lo quieran apagar.
#CrónicasParaDescolonizar
Mujer con Voz ©2016
Foto por Fernelis Lajara
¿Cuando es el momento indicado para prestarle atención a los gritos de la tierra?
despeinada,greñu’a,
ella
(She speaks)
cuando nadie la escucha
como una enojada niña
sacude las manos de las hojas
Buscando respuesta
encuentra el silencio desnudo
Retumba el suelo maltratado
escupido con la basura
¿Escuchan su zumbido, ahora?
¿Quieren sanar su espalda, ahora?
Duerme con el pecho vacío,
partida por la mitad de la sombra
ella
(She sleeps)
Mañana,
otra vez,
cuando los pies del piso se unen a su raíz
lo ignoraran.
Mujer con Voz ©2016
Photo by Fernelis Lajara
The blue. sky. was opening.
El cielo se abría así mismo de golpe.
Some were praying. with the silence.
El silencio se comió su pensamientos
Others were numbed.
Anestesiadas las lenguas rojas.
All that was the left was an empty corridor
in the hospital with invisible people running away. I reached out for them. My arms weren’t long enough. I returned to the cold chair. I wished it wasn’t this terrifying to wait for a miracle. I opened the window of the room so the navy blue sky can calm the pain. The anesthesia was done doing its job. Nobody says what they needed to say, they cried with fury instead. Another patient entered, they needed the bed.
1. Las naranjas no me gustan, pero admiro y respeto los vestidos de la naturaleza.
2. Mi boca está borrada por los hilos de ríos no descubiertos, se desatan como la corriente sin aviso.
3. El color de mis ojos es del mismo del café mañanero en pleno campo, todos despeinados y risueños.
4. ¿Por qué escribo? Entonces no estaría viva, sería una estrella quemada ambulante ocupando puesto en las sillas del mundo.
5. Soy rica de calor humano y pensamientos rebeldes. Los pobres son los ricos de monedas, esos sí no tienen lo necesario.
6. “Gente doble cara, también tiene tres, cuarto y más escondidas ensu casa” algo que recuerdo siempre.
7. Mi deportes favoritos son; comer mucho, escribir poemas en las tardes, y en las noches pintar la luna en mi lienzo.
8. La agua lluvia es para alimentar el alma. Nunca llevo paraguas.
9. ¿Por qué no escribo casi nunca de amor, y vainas así? Simple, hay cosas que no se dicen que deben ser habladas, alguien tiene que hacer sonar la voz en un mundo de tantas mentiras debajo de las alfombras.
10. Consejo: lee lo más que puedas y cuando te canses de leer, lee más con más fuerza.
Mujer con Voz Poetry 