Margarita Engle

Margarita Engle

 

 

 

 

Globalisation

 

When the world was flat

there were unexplored corners for hiding.

Roundness brought gravity and rotation,

an orbit, expansion of the galaxy, continental drift,

and incomprehensible distances

measured in light years.

Dizziness and confusion are now the norm.

We spin through our days, nostalgic for serenity.

When the world was flat

there were sea monsters and mermaids.

Roundness brought travel, communications,

the information age, and familiarity,

the illusion of knowledge.

 

 

 

 

Transformations

 

Scorpion dreams...

Two poets take turns

trying to console

a weeping dolphin

at the cool marble center

of a tropical fountain

in torrid Havana.

Prayers turn into birds

souls are birds in trees

a child becomes a bird

instead of dying...

In a land where the women

were once macaws

can their sons

fly?

 

 

 

 

Island Proportions

 

Cuba is home

to the world's tiniest hummingbird

el zunzuncito

the size of a bee

along with pygmy owls

giant kingbirds

greater flamingos

and the world's tiniest frog

largest cactus

smallest bat

highest hopes.