Ana Victoria Padilla Onatra, Colombia
Furniture in a box
The Poems
Furniture in a box
There is something hidden in the act of collecting boxes
in the act of sorting them out
to contain the world
or creating a little poetic scenery
where you can remain
There is a kind of enchantment
for all the unanswered questions
like a mischievous laugh of whom
despite the fear
stealthy comes closer to see the mystery
There is something hidden in the crease of the boxes, I say
The boxes as houses of poems
The boxes as daydream cathedrals
nourishing the real scenery
that unfolds
out of every box
(Translation by Teresa Beltrán and Karla Aguilar)
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Mobiliario en caja
Hay algo oculto en el acto de recoger cajas
en disponer de ellas
para contener el mundo
o crear un pequeño escenario poético
donde quedarse a vivir
Hay una suerte de encantamiento
ante lo que no tiene respuesta
como una risa traviesa de quien
pese al miedo
sigiloso se acerca para ver el misterio de cerca
Hay algo oculto en el doblez de las cajas, digo
Las cajas como casas de poemas
Las cajas como catedrales de la ensoñación
alimentando el escenario real
que se despliega
fuera de toda caja
leave their workplaces
to see the trees in bloom
They may travel to less frequented neighborhoods
by bicycle, walking or by bus
Looking for a sparkle to shine through their eyes
and give them the strength to accept the wind that blows away the instant
the routine of the days to come
the revelation of tiny miracles
that every time announces the flow of life
as well as the urgency and the calm of everything that returns to the earth
(Translation by Emanuel Julio)
abandonan sus lugares de trabajo
para ver los árboles en flor
Pueden desplazarse a barrios poco frecuentados
en bicicleta, a pie o en autobús
Van en busca de un destello que atraviese sus ojos
y les dé la fuerza para aceptar el viento que deshoja el instante
la rutina de los días venideros
el descubrimiento de diminutos milagros
que todo el tiempo anuncian el continuo despliegue de la vida
así como la urgencia y la calma de todo lo que retorna a la tierra
The Poet
Ana Victoria Padilla Onatra: She studied History, but especially she collects instants and writes poetry, which has been a refuge, company, and a link to know the world. Because of her curiosity, and the desire of conspiring with her friends, she has combined the letters with sound, plastic, and audiovisual arts, considering that poetry is in everything and everyone. Her poems lie in digital and printed magazines and anthologies, or secretly resonate in the places where poetry has taken her.