The following examples showcase the variety of experiences and expressions that the poets brought to their work.
Untitled Ana Luisa Catalino (Mam) Stereo Acodim, Nampix Ixtahuacán, Huehuetenango Atzan tuj paxil jatuma ateqa xnaq b’ix x’uj aq’nal xjal. Tuj chik’ul b’ix tze’ nchi tzen ixytzan ni b’ech b’ix ikytzan ch’it nchi bitzan tuj chik’ul, jun prim o chi kub’ b’iyon qa xjal nchanq’in b’ix nti kyu’n ti twitz kyil tzan o chi kub’ b’iyon— Ikytzanjajo. Guatemala, a country where hard-working men and women live in harmony, in those mountains and forests, smiling like the flowers in the gardens, just like the birds with their songs in the mountains; but one day they killed those human beings without knowing what they had done Why did they have to die this way?
Untitled Idelfonso Ambrocio (K’iche) Radio Nojibal Stereo Aldea La Ceiba, Suchitepéquez You belong to me, but I don’t belong to you Why do they invade my homeland? Why do they want to take over your name? When will they let me speak? I want to speak In your beautiful name I see myself Sometimes they kill each other born from the same blood Weeping is heard in the furthest corners Of your mountains. In your name I will give my life for this struggle. At wech, inawetaj Jaschech kin nelsax chuwach ri wulew Jaschech kuxla’n taq winäq kkaj kkalaq’aj ri ab’i’ Janipa’ kya b’e chuwech kin ch’awik Ruk’ ti je’lalaj ab’i’ kin k’utunsaj ri un b’antajik Tz’ikin rech ri uwakaj ka kikamsajkib’ Pataq ri k’achelaj kintawi ri oq’ej kech ri e qati’t qa mam Ruk’ ri ab’i’ kin ya ri un k’aslemal chech ri ato’ik
Nan Pix Pix Rigoberta González Sul, Radio Ixchel Olga Mercedes Ajcolón Tuís, Radio Juventud Alma Temaj, Radio Doble Vía Un pedazo de tierra con árboles, montes y un hermoso tanque de agua El lugar mas hermoso del mundo, donde sólo los pájaros y los animales lo habitan uno que otras casas de adobe y pajón. Pero llegó aquel día en que el cerro Pix Pix gritaba, lloraba, auxiliaba ante los balazos que mataba una por una a su gente. Aquellos niños, aquellos ancianos miraban el atardecer, al sol esconderse con lágrimas en los ojos. Pensando a donde ir, a refugiarse por el temor, en los hermanos con un fusil en la mano sin saber ¿qué pasará mañana? A piece of land with trees, mountains and a beautiful cistern of water The most beautiful place in the world, where only the birds and the animals live, houses of adobe and straw here and there. But the day came when the pig Pix Pix screamed, wept, cried for help before the bullets that killed its people one by one. The children, the elders watched the late afternoon, watched the sun hide with tears in its eyes. Thinking of where to go, of taking refuge out of fear, of the brothers with a rifle in hand without knowing, what will happen tomorrow?
Rigoberta Gonzalez, Kakchiquel, of Sumpango Sacatepéquez translates a poem into her native language.
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All photos by Danielle DeLuca
Cultural Survival Quarterly
December 2012 • 5