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Hoy añoro
Rogelio Ustate

 

Hoy añoro constantemente
el fresco arroyo y sus azuladas aguas
haciendo su elocuente recorrido;

Añoro las heladas montañas preñadas de semilla ancestral,
las tranquilas noches persuadiendo la oscuridad,
las claras noches vestidas de frío;

Añoro las susurrantes brisas contagiadas de inviernos,
las frescas sombras de los milenarios árboles
que dormían profundos en la espesura de la madre tierra;

Añoro al inocente rocío de la primavera,
al dulce trino de los amarillos canarios
y demás cantoras aves
afinando con altura su grito de libertad.

¿Cuándo se darán cuenta que te han extinguido, maderable carreto?

Listen to the poem read out loud by the author

Today I yearn
Rogelio Ustate

 

Today I yearn constantly
for that fresh stream, those bluish waters
on their eloquent journey;

I yearn for frozen mountain wombs of ancestral seeds,
for tranquil nights persuading the dark
such clear nights dressed in coldness;

I yearn for breezes whispering the winters’ contagion
for the coolest shadow of millenary trees
sleeping deeply in mother earth’s thickets

I yearn for the innocent dew of spring,
the sweet trill of yellow canaries
multiple melodies of birds
tuning to perfection their freedom cries.

When will they realise they’ve made you extinct, our timbered rain tree?

Translated from the original Spanish by Helen Dixon
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Rogelio Ustate Arregocés es líder social comunitario, defensor de derechos económico, políticos, territoriales sociales, culturales, ambientales y espirituales. Es Consejero de Cultura del municipio de Hatonuevo en La Guajira, así como investigador, artesano, poeta y escritor de literatura creativa. Es Delegado Nacional de comunidades negras, afrocolombianas, raizales y palenqueras en Colombia y representante legal de la de la Asociación Fortaleciendo Raíces Negras De La Guajira. Su comunidad del corregimiento de Tabaco en La Guajira fue desplazada por la minería de carbón. Antes de la llegada de la minería, era la productor agrícola y agropecuario. Hoy es consumidor y extraño en su propia tierra.

 

Rogelio Ustate Arregocés is a community social leader, defender of economic, political, territorial, social, cultural, environmental and spiritual rights. He is the Cultural Councilor of the Hatonuevo municipality in La Guajira, as well as a researcher, craftsman, poet and creative writer. Rogelio is the national delegate representing black, Afro-Colombian, Raizales and Palenqueras communities in Colombia and legal representative of the Strengthening Black Roots Association of La Guajira. His community in the Tabaco district was displaced by coal mining. Before the advent of mining, he was the agricultural and livestock producer. Today he is a consumer and a stranger in his own land.

Photo used for the banner image was provided by Rogelio Ustate. Other photos for this poem were taken and provided by María Faciolince.

Sprouts that grew from this seed

When will they realize they’ve made you extinct, / our timbered rain tree? / When will they recognize your significance / in preserving the equilibrium of biodiversity?

When Rainforests Rage by Jenny Mae Albinio

November 28, 2022

When Rainforests Rage by Jenny Mae Albinio

November 28, 2022

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