Sin Título
This poem was originally written in Spanish. Below, you’ll see the original version, an English translation, and a glimpse of what it means to me.
Español
Martes. Una explosión.
Empiezo a existir.
Mantengo la compostura o, al menos,
lo intento. Me levanto. Me voy.
En este espacio siento las vibraciones.
Yo veo mis estrellas y siento el fuego
que arde en cada una.
No me preocupo.
Todo para en un minuto.
Olvido mis inhibiciones.
Cuando estoy con mis pensamientos,
recuerdo quién soy.
Mares de potencial, ideas y sueños.
Construyo algo que tal vez nunca vea.
Olas de energía que pretendo controlar.
Ríos de tiempo que fluyen con cada respiro.
No comprendo lo que hago
porque no soy más que un guijarro
rodando por este río.
Infinidad.
English
Tuesday. An explosion.
I begin to exist.
I maintain my composure, or I try, at least. I get up. I leave.
In this space, I feel the vibrations. I see my stars and feel the fire that burns in each one.
Everything stops in one minute.
“Forget about it and let your inhibitions go.” When I’m with my thoughts, I remember who I am.
Oceans of potential, ideas, and dreams. I build something I may never see.
Waves of energy I try to control.
Rivers of time that flow with each breath. I don’t understand what I do because I am no more than a pebble rolling down this river.
Infinity.
Between the Lines
A challenge I set for my students motivated me to write this poem. Each one had to compose a narrative of precisely 100 words, all without using adjectives. Recognizing the difficulty of such a task, I, too, attempted it, albeit in Spanish, to prove its attainability. This poem is a tribute to them, showcasing the profound depth and insight that constrained writing can unlock.
Structured as an acrostic that reveals "Memento Mori," the poem reminds us of our mortality, compelling us to seek significance and intent in our daily endeavors. This age-old contemplation of life's fleeting nature is seamlessly woven into the fabric of a classroom's daily life, illustrating how our enduring impact lies in our influence over those we teach.
The poem begins with an "explosion," a metaphor for the burst of life that marks the start of a class, embodying the unpredictable, vibrant moments that mark our existence. This sets the stage for a narrative that oscillates between the chaotic and the tranquil moments within the classroom, fostering introspection and connection.
My students, my “stars,” symbolize the individual potential and unique brilliance they contribute to our collective learning journey. The silence observed at the start of each class is a sacred interval of transition, a moment that allows us to shed our external worries and delve inward, reacquainting ourselves with our essence.
The classroom, depicted as an ocean of potential, ideas, and dreams, highlights the boundless possibilities that lie within each student. As their teacher, I am portrayed as one who contributes to futures yet unseen, nurturing their growth with hope and dedication, even though the fruits of these efforts may remain beyond my sight.
Through the "waves of energy" and "rivers of time," I see the challenges and the uncontrollable elements inherent in teaching, learning, and life. It ends with a reflection on our minuscule presence against the vast expanse of infinity, acknowledging our modest yet impactful contribution to the endless flow of life.
