Jiñocuajo Tree

TheFlowerand theHummingbird Esthela Calderón "I havea hummingbird !" saidtheflower. He wrapsmeinhisfine beak andhiswounding tongue. Shakes mewith thetireless beating ofhiswings. I pulseinhisrushing heart. Sleepontheheights ofhisforest. Asa flower, I rest ontheblinding brightness ofhisplumage. Myhummingbird hurls himself against thebelltower ofmybody. Ripspetalsfrom myflesh. Invents a song with themusicofhisunblinking eyes andthefierceness ofhisflight. He flies through thegarden. Comesandgoes among theflowered paths, searching for theabyss ofbitter honey. He diesandisreborn where frost falls, covering theworld ofmypollen. Esthela Calderón (b 1970, Nicaragua) isthe author ofSoledad (2002), which won the Juegos Florales Centroamericanos prize; Amoryconciencia (2004), and Soplo de corriente vital: poemas etnobotánicos (2008). She also wrote a novel set duringthe 1979 Nicaraguan insurrection, 8 caras de una moneda (2006), co-authored Culture and Customsof Nicaragua (2008), and is currently general coordinator ofthe municipaltheaterin León, Nicaragua. Jiñocuajo Tree Esthela Calderón Fvegonethrough life bearing scars, just because. They're thecutting kisses that seekthesoft flesh ofmyback, redflesh, green flesh, flesh, milky flesh, granulated blood, living blood,flowing with joyfrom eachslice, machete woundwithin thewound, life purified atgutlevel. Forever andever a dying Indianslave, bornagainamong barbs. Grateful for thetorture, I wasbornsubmissive, planted onthesideof theroad. From here, I blesseachblowI get. Fmvitalincense, returning through history inthebitter dripping ofhappiness, mytears. I glorify thecantos andprayers onthealtar oftemples where OurLadyofSorrow joinsherhands andGodmademan expires toredeem us. Editorialnote:Jo listento the two Spanish versionsofCalder ón's poems, and to read Steven White'sessay,"Written on Earthand Water:Poetryand Ecology inNicaragua,"visit the WLTwebsite, www.worldliteraturetoday.com. 141WorldLiterature Today

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