A Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net-nominee, Elaine Nadal is the author of two poetry chapbooks: When and Sweat, Dance, Sing, Cut, published by Finishing Line Press. Her work has appeared in several journals, including Beyond Words Literary Magazine, Haunted Waters Press, Hoot Review, Grasslimb, and Latino Book Review Magazine. Some of her work can be found on her Instagram page: elaine_nadal.
For You, Hope
What do you dream about? A boat sailing the ocean, a ground covered in cherry blossoms, a pearl inside an oyster?
In wakefulness, you wait with an open heart and hands ready to offer, in a given moment, a light. Hope,
in your absence, there’s no sun nor moon. Where do you go hiding when doubt clings to you like hair ice on dead wood? Who holds your hand when lowness lies at your step?
I had forgotten the spark. I let it go out when daybreak appeared far away and delight seemed like a once upon a time.
Emptiness comes heavy and full, and I no longer want to stand by for a piece of infinite sky. I will find you, my beloved constellation, though I’m afraid you might not come back.
fruitless and sub-rich men.
Para ti, Esperanza
¿En qué sueñas? ¿Un bote navegando el océano, un suelo cubierto en flores de cerezo, una perla dentro de una ostra?
En desvelo esperas con un corazón abierto y las manos listas para ofrecer en un momento dado, una luz. Esperanza,
en tu ausencia, no hay sol ni luna. ¿Dónde te escondes cuándo la duda se aferra como pelo de hielo sobre madera muerta? ¿Quién sostiene tu mano cuándo la llanura se tiende a tu lado?
Se me había olvidado la chispa. Dejé que se apagara cuándo la aurora se veía lejana y el deleite parecía como un érase una vez.
El vacío llega lleno y pesado, y yo ya no quiero atenerme a sólo la posibilidad de un pedazo de cielo infinito. Te encontraré, mi amada y bella constelación, aunque temo que ya no regreses.
***Spanish translation by author (Elaine Nadal)