Write Here Write Now

The nightmares of two children

Creo que el libro de poemas La masacre de los soñadores es un novela, es un western infernal, un ritual para convertirnos en lo que fuimos sin querer, serpientes o caballos con alas;  entonces volvamos a la infancia, cuando solíamos jugar a los vaqueros y a los indios, en esa  inocencia no había trasfondos, no pensábamos en el porqué del enfrentamiento, (por cierto yo siempre escogía ser de los indios) las señales de humo y la pipa de la paz tenían un peso, pero éramos otra cosa que ahora descubrimos ante las palabras descarnadas de Juan Velasco.

Toro Sentado venció a Custer, Bufalo Bill a cuatro mil bisontes, eso por supuesto no lo contemplo entre sus méritos, hay mejores cosas por las que uno puede relinchar, luego unidos en un espectáculo (que esperábamos eran gringos) nos damos cuenta también que hay mejores cosas por las que uno pueda aullar como un coyote y es así como esos “american spirits” ya no tienen autoridad para protegernos, ni aunque seamos niños o inocentes o aunque solicitemos invisibilidades que nos son concedidas de vez en cuando, hay mejores cosas por las que uno puede sentirse desierto, (como atravesar un desierto por ejemplo) entonces se empieza a recuperar el sentido y aparece el reclamo y el desahogo:

“Las películas del oeste mienten/ sus héroes están hechos de plástico transparente/ que los busca desde el tiempo de la rueda.”

Sitting Bull

Coincidentemente en el tiempo de la rueda alguien en una caverna pintaba bisontes,subrayó la coincidencia porque cuando uno como lector retorna en el mismo libro, es decir relee, hace pausas, va a otros libros, razona, ata cabos, siente, se ocupa del asunto, entiende los pretextos pues, entonces los personajes desparecen (se vuelven invisibles) y eso significa que la poesía cumple,  porque nos dice quienes somos, nos dice que un ojo nos contempla, nos hace viajar a planetas cotidianos.

Luego la denuncia:

“Hemos depositado la totalidad de la tristeza en los bancos de América/ la palabra da buenos dividendos/ el silencio también se valora en la bolsa/ la expectación gana millones/ Wall Street es una bella noche clavada al pánico de la felicidad.”

 Hemos sido descubiertos (por nosotros mismos) ¿que hacer? huir, doblegarnos, ¿hacerle caso a la saliva? ¿comprar mentiras? Lo conducente es encarar, ser respuesta, la masacre de los soñadores es eso: el confesionario de aquel que contando su sueño se salva y nos salva porque encuentra, encontramos la identidad que nos corresponde y si en ese trecho hay inquietudes y pasiones que se confrontan y se convierten en poemas, mucho mejor.

Y por último la esperanza.

“Volver es dulce cuando el desierto se haya evaporado, dicen/ cuando el mar le haya devorado los dientes obscenos.”

Borges con la puntual exigencia que tenía para con la literatura decía que todo libro de versos puede correr tres suertes. 1. puede ser adjudicado al olvido, 2.  puede no dejar una sola línea pero si una imagen total de quien lo hizo y 3. puede legar a las antologías unos pocos poemas,  y yo con mi puntual elocuencia para con la poesía digo que no son las suertes “que puede” correr, sino las que corre y que no son tres sino tantas como lectores tenga, la masacre de los soñadores por supuesto que no se adjudicará al olvido,  porque aquí el lector se ve como un suceso más en el libro, (estábamos atrapados pero nos custodiaba la esperanza) es decir: hay complicidad, ya que existe un sentido de representar desde el interior lo significativamente humano, -ese es el mandato del que poetiza- el autor lo sabe y se aventura a un diálogo de inmensidad y llamas  y eso nos enciende, nos ilumina, nos llama.

Si quieres leer mas: http://www.coleccionconjurados.es/MASACRE/index.htm

In June 1521, a young man from northern Spain (his name is Iñigo), finds himself severely wounded and in bed. He is 26 years old. Mortified by his defeat inPamplona in his first serious war action, he is confronting, for the first time in his life, the possibility of dying. He reads and prays, he gets ready, but instead he recovers a few months later.

The Journey

Transformed by his near death experience, Iñigo leaves the comfort of his family and his military career and embarks on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Like in a vision quest, he wants to find God and his true self, but in his journey he encounters mendicants, thieves, soldiers, and the poor. This is el camino   and, at every step, he faces the great unknown. Near Barcelona, in a cave, after a period of fasting and praying, he receives the gift of the Spiritual Exercises. Upon arrival to Jerusalem, unable to stay, he finally settles down in Rome. It is there where he finally decides to create the Society of Jesus, and implement the Exercises to reform Christianity, find a more authentic way of living the faith, and bring social justice to the world. Iñigo is 48 years old. He would be known as Saint Ignatius after1609 when he is canonized. His vision for the Jesuits would transform the world forever.

Molly’s Vision by John Stephens

In her last post, Diane Dreher reminded us that the hero’s journey is that of “the courageous individual who leaves the known world for the great unknown, returning with a treasure to share with the larger community.” When I look at Saint Ignatius’ whole life I remind myself that what seems to be a miracle, a perfectly planned, extraordinary achievement, was filled with challenges and disappointments. I believe miracles are the things that happen within the boundaries of our ordinary life when we say “yes” to the call for adventure. Heroes are introduced in the ordinary world and then receive the call to adventure. We are being called to immerse ourselves in the mystery of our lives, in the “cloud of unknowing.” There are no tracks. The path is the miracle, and facing the great unknown the only guide to the treasure. Take a few moments now to reflect on this call.

• When did you last say “yes” to the calling?
• What were your fears?
• How did you perceive the great unknown?
• Did you receive any insights into your journey?

Take a deep breath. Spend some time in mindful breathing. What is this life? Do you want an authentic life? The wonder, the doubt, the mysteries are always there, at every moment. Let’s try 15′ of writing as a spiritual practice. Find a few minutes to write in your journal, realize your own destiny, your unique contributions to this world.  In this way, your life is already an epic song.

Juan Velasco

What happens when we bring our personal narratives to consciousness and share them with others?  How can we utilize our own and others’ writing to bring greater understanding to our lives and instill a sense of empathy and solidarity in our society? Writing in your journal, and briefly reflecting on the different stages of your life, can dramatically improve your understanding of yourself and others.

Bodhidharma Meditating

The use of autobiographical writing in retreats and classes has been an important part of my work for the last ten years.  Through reflection on classroom experiences, I have seen firsthand the benefits of personal narratives and how, when students find their authentic voices and reflect on the meaning of their lives, they find a better connection with their communities and families. Later, when they share their writing with others in a safe environment, all of those participating experience the growth and understanding that arises through empathy and solidarity.

Why focus on personal writing at this point in time? Given the impact of economic developments on families, students and communities, autobiography helps us to understand the complexities of our experiences using all the aspects of the person –the intellectual, the creative, the economic, the spiritual, and cultural.  By writing in our journals with others, and sharing our experiences, we can explore the complexities of the personal and the political, the creative and the spiritual within ourselves, but also learn to “see” others and their experience in the light of understanding and loving kindness.

El Salvador

Despite our fascination with “reality shows,” and other fraudulent investigations of “reality,” only rarely do we make time to investigate deeply who we are, and how examining our own lives and suffering connects us with the people around us. By paying attention to our creative self-realization, rather that being addicted to the consumption of the so called “reality” shows, we can experience positive growth and grasp the liberation available when understanding and compassion arise together.  When we don’t distinguish one reality from another, we repress our own suffering, quickly forget about the people who suffer in our communities, and we become cynical and passive when facing the problems of the world.

Writing serves as a catalyst for a unique investigation in the realities of your life, the people around you, and the promotion of justice and empathy through creative self-realization.   Your writing practice will help you to stay grounded and in touch with who you are, where you are in the journey and what are the connections you see with the people and the community around you.

Juan Velasco