Nation

Abstract

WORLDLITERATURETODAY.ORG 39 montes : guadalupe veno martinez zaldívar : johann trujillo domínguez : margaret randall Nation by Israel Domínguez They were brave men but confused. They disobeyed orders at Santa Rita and at Lagunas de Varona. These servants come from the same stock. They treat us as they might have treated those who wanted to take the war to the other end of the Island. I go back to the concept of nation. I try to remember what Hermann Hesse said: The word “nation” limits us if we don’t understand there is only one nation: Mother Earth. I try to remember but can’t if Hermann Hesse said Universe or Mother Earth. Translations from the Spanish By Margaret Randall Untitled by Caridad Atencio I overcome because I am overwhelmed. I whip my life into shape, one tension, one bit of calm at a time, if I must I give back the distance I run, if I must I rise and cut something from myself. I’ve arrived at this hour dragging my body from moment to moment. Surreptitiously I serve up wounded blood. The story I bear, how will you receive it? The water I’ve gathered makes itself heard. Here is the mother who keeps her child forever in her womb. And decides she will live, even as she drowns. Leymen Pérez (b. 1976, Matanzas) is a poet, editor, and cultural promoter. Among his poetry titles are Tallador de ruidos (2005), Transiciones (2006), Corrientes coloniales (2007), Los altos reinos (2013), and Fatigas del trópico (2015). Yanira Marimón (b. 1971, Matanzas) writes poetry and prose. Among her recent titles are the poetry collection La sombra infinita de los vencidos (2005) and a novel, Donde van a morir las mariposas (2006). Laura Ruiz Montes (b. 1966, Matanzas) has published several poetry collections, most recently Otro retorno al país natal and Los frutos ácidos, both of which won Cuba’s National Critics Prize. She is the senior editor at Ediciones Vigía and editor in chief of Vigía magazine. Alfredo Zaldívar (b. 1956, Sojo Tres, Holguín) is a poet and editor. He helped found Ediciones Vigía and now heads Ediciones Matanzas. Among Zaldívar’s books are Concilio de las aguas (1989), La vida en ciernes (2002), Esperando a Viernes (2009), Rasgado con las manos (2015), and Cuchillos en el aire / Knives in the Air (with translations by Peter Boyle, 2015). Caridad Atencio (b. 1963, Havana) is a poet, essayist, and critic. Among her poetry collections are Los poemas desnudos (1995), Los viles aislamientos (1996), Umbrías (1999), Los cursos imantados (2000), and El libro de los sentidos (2010). Israel Domínguez (b. 1973, Placetas, Villa Clara) is a poet and translator. His books of poetry include Hojas de Cal (2001), Collage: Mientras avanza mi carro de equipaje (2002), Sobre un fondo de arena (2004), Después de acompañar a William Jones (2006), and Viaje de regreso (2013). Margaret Randall (b. 1936, New York) lived in Cuba from 1969 to 1980. In 1970 and 2011 she was a judge of the Casa de las Américas literary contest. Her books include To Change the World: My Years in Cuba (2009) and Haydée Santamaría, Cuban Revolutionary: She Led by Transgression, just out from Duke University Press. ...