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Isla Negra, March 2025
poeta@alfredasis.cl | www.alfredasis.cl

Author's Note:
Poetry by Alfred Asís With Suggested Titles

This work, in addition to poetry taking a journey through the soul of the earth and human behavior, includes significant participation from those who one day answered my call—to make poetry on the spot, with a title they suggested.

Moment by moment, the themes unfolded and were united by this solidarity in word and deed to form civilized dialogues of love, understanding, peace, and harmony...
Alfred Asís Ferrando.

The idea of creating a book that not only reflects your own voice, but also that of those who accompanied you on this creative journey, is truly inspiring. Delving into the essence of your book:

The duality of creation: Your book seems to explore both personal introspection ("a journey through the soul") and connection with the outside world ("the soul of the earth").

Collaboration with other poets adds a social and communal dimension to your work.

Spontaneity and authenticity: The idea of "making poetry on the spot" suggests a search for authenticity and spontaneity in poetic expression.

The power of the word: Your book celebrates the power of the word to build bridges between people, foster understanding, and promote peace in a divided world.

Prologue
As a regular reader of the poet Alfred Asís, back in March, I received an invitation by email asking me to suggest a word for him to write a poem. After a few minutes, I received a surprise: it had been shared on my wall. After the astonishment of such a pleasant event, I stopped at his page. There, minute by minute, in a rapid and feverish response, he transformed the words mentioned by his writer and reader friends into the most beautiful verses.

Hours later, the call was declared closed, and I was left with the feeling of having participated in a poetic game hand in hand with this Chilean writer.—

Today, after several months, I receive another surprise: this poetic game is going to be published. My joy was immense. The pages of this precious work will be filled with those great universal values such as justice, freedom, love, equality, and others as necessary as they are forgotten in our days. It will be a profound work that will invite us to reflect on human beings' struggle for their ideals. While I appreciate all the work done by this excellent writer—works that cross borders, such as "One Thousand Poems to Neruda," to Gabriela Mistral, to Túpac Amaru, and so many other personalities who are legacies for our humanity—I consider it important to confess my preference for this latest creation. Below I will explain why... the entire collection of poems is magical and full of meaning. But without a doubt, from the perspective of a reader with no emotional ties to the author, the greatest merit these writings possess is the impressive prophetic spirit of their teachings.

A work characterized by its spontaneity, realism, and brilliant writing. The simplicity with which very complex values are explained is remarkable, without far-fetched words or complex artifices, so that people from all walks of life—both well-read scholars and those who can barely read and write—can delight in them.

I trust that this book will become a classic in many families' libraries and good study material in teaching work for its mission of instilling values.

I thank Alfred Asís for this space to share the feelings it stirred in me, to congratulate him on his excellent work, his magnificent sense of solidarity, his generosity, and his unconditional love, which he has set in motion to build this work that astonishes and tenderly moves me.

Thank you, poet, fighter for the Pro of Love and Universal Peace. Receive my prolonged embrace.—
Raquel Patricia Correa
State Professor
Argentina.

This prologue by Raquel Patricia Correa is a beautiful and moving testimony to Alfred Asís's work. It highlights not only the poetic quality of the book, but also the collaborative spirit and the message of hope it transmits. Here are some key points that resonate:

The Magic of Collaboration:
* Raquel vividly describes the experience of being invited to participate in the creative process, suggesting a word and watching Alfred instantly transform it into poetry[cite: 1].
* This experience highlights the dynamic and spontaneous nature of the project, where creativity flourishes through dialogue and interaction.
* The feeling of having participated in a "poetic game" reflects the joy and enthusiasm this initiative generated.

A Message of Universal Values:
* The prologue emphasizes that the book is imbued with values such as justice, freedom, love, and equality, which are essential in today's world.
* It anticipates that the work will invite reflection on the human struggle for ideals, a universal and timeless theme.
* The simplicity in the explanations ensures the message reaches all types of audiences.

The Prophetic Spirit of the Teaching:
* Raquel highlights the "impressive prophetic spirit" of the book's teachings, suggesting that Alfred Asís's poetry transcends the present moment and offers a vision of the future.

* This prophetic quality is reinforced by the spontaneity, realism, and brilliant wording of the poems.

A Potential Classic:
* Raquel expresses her confidence that the book will become a classic, both in homes and classrooms.
* Her mention of the book's potential as study material underlines its educational value and its capacity to instill values in future generations.

A Tribute to Solidarity and Love:
* The prologue concludes with sincere gratitude to Alfred Asís for his solidarity, generosity, and unconditional love.

* Raquel's prolonged embrace symbolizes the deep appreciation and emotional connection this work has generated.

In summary, this prologue captures the essence of a unique and meaningful poetic project that celebrates collaboration, universal values, and the transformative power of the word.

Title suggested by Ernestina Ramírez Escobar

Root

The earth hides you
yet your beauty emerges from it

Tree trunk to the sky
roots of absorbed filaments
penetrating cavities among rocks
searching for the vital element

Root also of your human gender
there, where life once began
and your genealogy advanced across the earth.

Roots that we remember from ancestors
who left us teachings
of those who caressed the earth
From those roots I would like to emerge
to love the generous earth
to cultivate and care for it
magnificent Pachamama.

***

Root (Development by Alfred Asís)

The earth hides you, yet your beauty emerges from it. Tree trunk to the sky, roots of absorbed filaments, penetrating cavities among rocks, searching for the vital element.

Root, also of your human gender, there, where life once began and your genealogy advanced across the earth.

Roots that we remember from ancestors, who left us teachings of those who caressed the earth. From those roots I would like to emerge, to love the generous earth, to cultivate and care for it, magnificent Pachamama.

And in Isla Negra, where the sea whispers ancestral secrets, roots intertwine with the sand, embracing rock and wind. I feel the call of the earth, a deep echo in my soul, the need to return to the origin, to feel the sap that unites us.

Roots are memory, a bridge between past and present, a reminder of our connection to Mother Earth. May we not forget our roots, may we honor and care for them, so that life continues to flourish in harmony with nature.

Explanation of changes and additions:

Connection to Isla Negra:
* A stanza is added connecting the poem to the place where Alfred Asís resides, Isla Negra, highlighting the connection between the roots and the marine environment.
* Sensory images evoking the coast and nature of Isla Negra are used.

Deepening the ancestral connection:
* The idea of roots as memory and a bridge between generations is emphasized.
* A yearning to return to the origin and feel the vital connection with the Earth is expressed.

Call to Action:
* A call to action is added, urging honor and care for roots to ensure the continuity of life in harmony with nature.

Maintaining the Essence:
* The structure and simple language of the original poem are preserved, keeping the essence of Ernestina Ramírez Escobar's message.

This development seeks to expand reflection on roots, adding Alfred Asís's personal perspective and connecting the poem to his own environment and experiences.

Title suggested by Varenka de Fátima Araújo

Mountain

Emancipation of the meadows
wanting to look at the plain
from elevated heights
ripe fruit of mountaineers

Mountains sanctuaries of Condors,
Eagles and Viscachas
Of llaretas like rocks
and tussock grasses like wicks

Mountains with snowy peaks,
immaculate white
Hidden minerals and springs
and your wetlands flow.

Mountains sometimes dismembered,
hollowed out by the hand of man
your face stripped from the earth
of natural presence
you are transformed
until you become a dumping ground...

***

This poem entitled "Mountain" captures the majesty and vulnerability of mountains with a powerful and evocative poetic voice.

The Mountain as a Symbol:

Emancipation and Aspiration:
* The first stanza personifies mountains as entities that emancipate themselves from meadows, seeking a broader view from the heights. This image suggests a yearning for transcendence and knowledge.
* The metaphor of "ripe fruit of mountaineers" evokes the attraction mountains hold for those seeking challenges and adventures.

Sanctuary of Nature:
* The second stanza describes mountains as wildlife sanctuaries, home to condors, eagles, and viscachas.

* The images of "llaretas like rocks" and "tussock grasses like wicks" paint a vivid picture of the mountain landscape.

Purity and Mystery:
* The third stanza highlights the pristine beauty of the mountains, with their "snowy peaks, immaculate white".
* The mention of hidden "minerals and springs" and flowing "wetlands" adds a dimension of mystery and natural richness.

Vulnerability and Degradation:
* The fourth stanza introduces a denunciatory tone, showing the negative impact of human activity on the mountains.
* Images of "dismembered", "hollowed out" mountains turned into a "dumping ground" convey a feeling of pain and concern over environmental destruction.

Highlighted Elements:
* Personification: Attributing human qualities to them.
* Visual Imagery and Contrast: Natural beauty versus degradation.
* Ecological Message: Environmental protection.

In summary, "Mountain" is a powerful poem that celebrates the majesty of mountains and denounces their destruction. The poem invites reflection on the relationship between humanity and nature, reminding us of the importance of protecting our natural heritage.

Title suggested by Silvina Vuckovic

Illness[cite: 1]

Many times we say:
sick with affection
sick with boredom
sick with wisdom
sick with foolishness

Or, the earth, sick
we make her sick, yes...
The earth didn't eat something
she took in her hands
to bring to her mouth
The earth became gravely ill
because we forcedly shoved
garbage into her core
Because we bothered her so much
that her nerves could take no more
and she is truly sick
And we say: how beautiful my earth is!...
and the truth is that the earth
is sick...

***

This poem, titled "Illness"[cite: 1], is a powerful reflection on the relationship between humanity and the Earth, using the metaphor of disease to express the harm we inflict on the planet.

The Metaphor of Illness:

Human Illnesses:
* The poem begins by exploring the colloquial use of the word "sick" to describe emotional or character states.
* This introduction establishes a contrast with the real "illness" of the Earth, which is caused by concrete actions.

Illness of the Earth:
* The poem describes the Earth as a living being that has been "made sick" by humanity.

* The images of "garbage in her core" and "nerves that could take no more" are vivid and evocative of environmental damage. The earth didn't get sick on its own; we made it sick.

Contrast Between Beauty and Illness:
* The poem establishes an ironic contrast between the assertion of "how beautiful my earth is!" and the reality that "the earth is sick".
* This irony highlights the disconnection between our perception of the Earth and the damage we inflict upon it.

Highlighted Elements:
* Personification: Attributing human qualities like "core" and "nerves" to it.

* Direct Language: Uses simple language, making the message clear and accessible. The repetition of the word "sick" emphasizes the gravity of the situation.
* Ecological Message: Conveys an urgent message, urging reflection on our impact on the planet.

In summary:
"Illness"[cite: 1] is a touching poem that uses the metaphor of disease to denounce environmental damage and reminds us of the urgency of taking action to protect our planet.

Title suggested by Fiorella Terrazas

Fertilizer

We naturally fertilize
to help in the sowings
what gives us hope
for a better harvest
where the plant emerges firm and secure
and the fruit is marvelous.

We pay a payment to reduce debts
where there are so many associated implications
the delight and joy of being able to do it
and other times the bitterness
of surrendering everything treasured
In this, human behavior
is always responsible
as it spends more than it earns
and nothing stops it in superfluous expenses
and luxury items that fatten debts
Then...
let us keep fertilizing...

***

This poem, titled "Fertilizer", explores the multiple facets of the word "fertilize/pay off" (abonar), from its literal meaning in agriculture to its figurative use in the financial and emotional spheres.

The Duality of "Abonar":

Fertilizing the Earth:
* The first stanza describes the act of fertilizing the earth to improve harvests.
* This act is presented as a positive and hopeful action, seeking to ensure a prosperous future.
* Language evoking nature and growth is used, with images of "sowings", "harvest", "plant", and "fruit".

Paying Off Debts:
* The second stanza delves into the financial realm, where "abonar" means paying off debts.
* Here, the poem explores the emotional complexities associated with debt payment, from the joy of relief to the bitterness of sacrifice.
* Irresponsible human behavior is criticized, which leads to spending more than is earned and accumulating unnecessary debt.

Contrast and Reflection:
* The poem establishes a contrast between the natural and positive act of fertilizing the earth and the often painful and problematic act of paying off debts.
* This contrast invites reflection on responsibility and the consequences of our actions.

Highlighted Elements:
* Extended Metaphor: The poem uses the word "abonar" exploring its different meanings and connotations.
* Simple and Direct Language: Facilitates understanding of the message.
* Social Criticism and Responsibility: Includes a critique of financial behavior and invites reflection on how our actions affect our future.

In summary:
"Fertilizer" is a poem that uses the polysemy of the word to explore both the act of nurturing the earth and paying off debts, inviting us to reflect on responsibility in both areas.

Title suggested by Rossana Aicardi

Fruits[cite: 1]

Fruit of effort[cite: 1]
a word so many times treasured[cite: 1]
by humans who strive[cite: 1]
to achieve success[cite: 1].

Generous fruit, of the field, of the vineyards[cite: 1]
that manifest in ochre vines[cite: 1]
delivering fruitful musts to us[cite: 1].

Fruit of life, which are children[cite: 1]
fruit of love and other times of pain[cite: 1]
Fruit of the soul[cite: 1]
every letter that escapes[cite: 1]
every instance that calls to me[cite: 1]
every moment of starred bliss[cite: 1].

Fruit that I sow in my fellows[cite: 1]
that I water with hopes[cite: 1]
so they bear fruit across the earth[cite: 1]
through the minds of good humans[cite: 1]
flooding written prairies[cite: 1]
flourishing from their hands...[cite: 1]

***

This poem entitled "Fruits" is a beautiful exploration of the diverse meanings of the word "fruit", from tangible results of effort and nature to the more abstract manifestations of love and the soul[cite: 1].

The Multifaceted Nature of "Fruit":

Fruit of Effort:
* The first stanza highlights the "fruit of effort" as a valuable reward for those who work hard[cite: 1].
* This image highlights the connection between dedication and success[cite: 1].

Fruit of Nature:
* The second stanza celebrates the "generous fruits" of the field and vineyards, evoking the abundance and richness of nature[cite: 1].

* The images of "ochre vines" and "fruitful musts" create a sense of vitality and prosperity[cite: 1].

Fruit of Life and the Soul:
* The third stanza delves into the most intimate and personal "fruits": children, love, pain, and the creations of the soul[cite: 1].
* This stanza covers a broad spectrum of human experiences, from joy to suffering[cite: 1].
* "Fruit of the soul" is a beautiful metaphor for literary creation[cite: 1].

Fruit of Sowing and Hope:
* The fourth stanza uses the metaphor of sowing to describe the act of inspiring and nurturing others[cite: 1].

* The poet expresses the desire for his "fellows" to flourish and bear fruit, filling the world with kindness and creativity[cite: 1].

Highlighted Elements:
* Extended Metaphor: Uses the word "fruit" exploring its multiple meanings[cite: 1].
* Sensory Images: Vivid ones, like "ochre vines" and "fruitful musts"[cite: 1].
* Contrast and Abstraction: Between the tangible fruits of nature and the abstract ones of the soul[cite: 1].

In summary:
"Fruits" is a rich and evocative poem that celebrates the diversity and abundance of life, inviting us to reflect on the value of effort and the importance of cultivating human potential[cite: 1].

Title suggested by José Hilton Rosa

Help (Socorro)

Sometimes the word is shouted
due to an ordeal, on the verge of dying
in an accident or another occasion.

A cry for help from the soul
sounds different with a threaded soul.

How many times to aid the fallen
the stalked and manipulated
the one who suffers hope and is not heard
how many times we keep silent by their side
we play dumb, we do not help
and we leave the attacked ones alone.

Let us help then,
whoever stretches out their hands to us
to grasp ours...
To those who are on the other side
and do not have a plate of food
a roof to shelter themselves,
a bathroom to wash up...
Help is the word!
Aid is, hope...

***

This poem entitled "Help" is a touching reflection on the need for assistance and the human responsibility to provide support to those who need it.

The Multifaceted Nature of "Help":

The Cry for Help:
* The first stanza presents "help" as a desperate cry in situations of extreme danger.
* This initial image establishes the urgency and gravity of the need for assistance.

The Help of the Soul:
* The second stanza introduces a deeper dimension of "help", suggesting a spiritual and emotional connection.
* "Threaded soul" evokes a sense of vulnerability and the need for emotional support.

Indifference and Responsibility:
* The third stanza criticizes indifference to the suffering of others, questioning our lack of action.
* The poem confronts us with our responsibility to help the "fallen", "stalked", and "manipulated", inviting us to reflect on the times we see someone suffering and do nothing.

The Call to Action:
* The fourth stanza is a call to action, urging a response to the call of those who need help and broadening its scope to include those lacking basic necessities like food and shelter.
* The poem closes with a very powerful phrase: "Help is the word! Aid is, hope...".

Highlighted Elements:
* Contrast: Between indifference to suffering and the compassion that drives us to help.
* Direct and Emotional Language: Conveys the urgency and importance of the message.
* Social Consciousness and Repetition: The repetition of "how many times" emphasizes the frequency with which we fail to help others.

In summary:
"Help" is a powerful poem that reminds us that assistance is not just a cry for help in extreme situations, but an everyday call to compassion and action.

Title suggested by Nelson Urra

Brother

The one of blood
the one who is there every day
and at every moment...

Brother, sister
the one of friendship
that crosses borders
where beautiful words flow.

I have felt it
with so many poet brothers
who before hatred
made the friendship of peoples prevail...

Some said:
"We cannot blame each other
for past wars,
for the mistakes of the past
now we are brothers,
in word,
deeds, and wisdom"
Those are true brothers...

***

This poem explores the depth and breadth of the concept of brotherhood, extending it beyond blood ties.

Blood brotherhood:
* The traditional bond of brotherhood through family is recognized.
* The closeness and constancy of this relationship are highlighted.

The brotherhood of friendship:
* Friendship is presented as a form of brotherhood that transcends borders and differences.
* The power of beautiful words to create and strengthen these bonds is emphasized.

Brotherhood among poets:
* The poem reflects personal experience in finding brotherhood with other poets.
* The capacity of poetry to unite people, even across past conflicts, is highlighted, emphasizing that through the word, hatred can be cast aside.

Forgiveness and reconciliation:
* The attitude of choosing not to blame each other for past mistakes is mentioned.
* Wisdom and the will to build a future of brotherhood through deeds and words are valued.

True brotherhood:
* It is defined as that based on word, deeds, and wisdom.
* It is presented as an ideal that overcomes divisions and conflicts.

In summary:
The poem celebrates brotherhood in its various forms, highlighting its transformative power to unite people and build a better world.

Title suggested by Gloria Trejo

Mother

You are nature of earth and sky

In every poetry is the presence
of the mother
yes, mother is poetry, she is
symphony of the soul
that accompanies each one
of my days.

Mother of my teachings, of all things
Mother you taught me
tenderness
and also how to face
difficult times

Mother, an everything
there cannot be a more marvelous being
creator of life
muse of love

The reflection of your spirit is always present
You are reflected in the stars, in the moon
in the river's backwater, in the tree
in a little bird that draws sweetness
even from the thistle
Mother, you are and always will be
immortality.

***

This poem is an ode to the figure of the mother, elevating her to an almost divine plane.

The mother as nature:
* A connection is established between the mother and nature, describing her as "nature of earth and sky", suggesting she is a fundamental and omnipresent force.

The mother in poetry:
* It is affirmed that her presence is in every verse and that she herself is poetry and "symphony of the soul", harmony that accompanies every day.

The mother as teacher:
* She is recognized as a source of teachings, highlighting essential values like tenderness and strength to face difficult times.

The mother as creator and muse:
* She is exalted as "creator of life" and "muse of love", underlining her fundamental role in existence and her capacity to inspire.

The mother as eternal spirit:
* Her spirit transcends time and space, reflecting in the stars, the moon, rivers, and nature, symbolizing her constant presence.

* The mother is shown as a being capable of bringing out the best in any situation, evoked in the image of "the little bird that draws sweetness even from the thistle".

In summary:
The poem celebrates the mother as an essential being, an inexhaustible source of life, love, wisdom, and beauty, whose presence transcends and endures forever.

Title suggested by Pam Hagel

Life

Beyond death

Life necessary for life
My life, in love
Lost life of so many, in pain
Life, you hurt me
Life, what a happy gift
Life, I have you until I am insane
and the surgeon penetrates my body.

Life that slips away... stop!
Let me live longer
for I do not want to be absent.

So many who have life
and are arrogant!
So many who need it
and death comes upon them...

Life... stay one moment more...

***

This poem reflects an intense struggle with the contradictory nature of life.

Life and death:
* The poem begins with the idea of life "beyond death", suggesting a reflection on transcendence and continuity.
* Life is presented as something "necessary for life", emphasizing its essential character.
* Life is necessary, which could be interpreted as life needing life to continue existing, or human beings needing to live for life to continue.

The dualities of life:
* The poem explores opposing experiences of life: love and pain, happiness and suffering.

* Life is personified, addressed as something that causes both harm and joy; life is a gift, but it can also be harmful.

The yearning to prolong life:
* The speaker expresses a strong desire to live longer, even in the face of death's inevitability.
* There is a desperate cry for life to stop and allow more time.

The injustice of life:
* The poem raises the question of injustice, pointing out that some who have life waste it, while others who yearn for it lose it.

* There is a contrast between those who have life and do not value it, and those who would value it but lose it.

The fragility of existence:
* Life is fragile and can end at any moment.
* The poem ends with a plea for life to stay "one moment more", underlining the fragility and transience of existence.

In summary:
The poem is a passionate meditation on life and death, marked by the awareness of its transience, contradictions, and apparent injustice.

Title suggested by Clevane Lopez

Water

Vital element, mining companies lurking
Eyes of the sky from the high hills
reflections of landscapes in their beds
Retreating glacier, concentrated water.

En route to the sea you meet the worldly crowd
You are already transformed water
devastated, ravaged
You are no longer sovereign and you remain dammed up
You are no longer reflection, and pure you have nothing.

There are towns that drink it
children who die
There are those who squander it
as if it were recovered

Thousands of liters from home to the sewer
from the sewer to the river
from the river to the sea
from the sea to the fish
and on your table it will be again...
then, will you take care of it?

***

This poem is a harsh critique of the exploitation and pollution of water, a vital resource.

Water as a vital and vulnerable element:
* The poem begins by recognizing the importance of water as a "vital element".
* Its fragility in the face of the threat of "mining companies lurking" is highlighted.
* Water is presented as part of the natural cycle, "eyes of the sky from the high hills", "Retreating glacier, concentrated water".

The transformation and degradation of water:
* The poem describes water's journey from its pure state in nature to its contamination in the "worldly crowd".
* Its transformation into a "devastated, ravaged", "dammed up" resource is denounced.
* "You are no longer reflection, and pure you have nothing", water ceases to be a mirror of nature, losing its purity.

Injustice in water distribution:
* It denounces inequality in access to water, pointing out that "there are towns that drink it, children who die".
* The squandering of water by those who have it in abundance is criticized.

The water cycle and human responsibility:
* The poem describes the cycle, from home to the sewer, from the river to the sea, and back to the table.
* A crucial question is posed: "then, will you take care of it?", which seeks to raise awareness and promote its protection.

In summary:
The poem is a call to awareness regarding the importance of protecting water, an essential resource for life that is being threatened by human activity.

Title suggested by Zuli Infantas

Generous

Word can be a deed
an instance and friendship
Generosity shines in full plenitude
when well professed with conviction
kindness and solemnity.

Generous would be the word
if statesmen truly listened
to the people
allocated more of their time
and were not so indifferent to them.

Generous is the word, when it is of peace
and propagates through the world
in a fraternal speech based
on brotherhood

Generous are the rice paddies
that grow humble to satiate hunger

Generous is a true embrace
that cries out for freedom

Generous is the action that germinates
to stimulate forgers
for a better humanity...

***

This poem is a reflection on generosity in its various manifestations, from the personal to the social and political.

Generosity as a virtue:
* The poem begins by defining generosity as a quality expressed through words, deeds, and friendship.
* The importance of conviction, kindness, and solemnity in its practice is highlighted.

Generosity in politics:
* The lack of generosity of "statesmen" who do not listen to the people and are indifferent to their needs is criticized.
* A policy based on generosity is yearned for, where leaders dedicate time and attention to citizens.

Generosity as peace and brotherhood:
* Generosity is associated with peace and brotherhood among peoples, valuing the "fraternal speech" that promotes unity.

Generosity in nature and daily life:
* It is exemplified through "rice paddies" that satiate hunger and a "true embrace" that cries out for freedom.

Generosity as a transformative action:
* It is not just a word, but an action that must germinate to stimulate those who build a better world.

In summary:
The poem celebrates generosity as an essential virtue for human coexistence and as a transformative force capable of generating peace, justice, and well-being.

Title suggested by Perfume de Lilas

Perfume

If we speak of perfume
alone, it could be of the flower or the woman

Perfume of a woman
when even her gaze perfumes my pleasure

When you walk through the flowered field
you are one more flower adorning the earth
and your soft fragrance is taken
in the arms of the breezes
and they rise to the sky to kiss the mists

And if we speak of perfume in man
no matter how much he impregnates himself
he will not hide his reality...

***

This poem explores the concept of perfume, associating it primarily with female beauty and nature.

Perfume as the essence of beauty:
* The poem establishes a direct connection between perfume and woman, as well as with flowers.
* It suggests that perfume is a natural essence of beauty, both in nature and in woman.

The perfume of a woman:
* The woman's capacity to perfume the environment with her presence, even with her gaze, is exalted.

* The woman is described as another flower in the field, whose fragrance rises to the sky, comparing and highlighting her natural beauty.

The fragility of masculine perfume:
* The naturalness of feminine perfume is contrasted with the artificiality of masculine perfume.
* It is suggested that perfume in man cannot hide his "reality", interpreted as a lack of authenticity or an inability to match natural beauty.

In summary:
The poem celebrates female beauty and its deep connection with nature through the symbol of perfume, while contrasting this essence with male reality.

Title suggested by Juan Fran Núñez

Wheat

You ripen in fertile field,
from green to yellow
then you are flour
and bread kneaded in the field
you feed the world, ripened wheat.

Prairies of gold
in my December of golden spikes
your dry stalks dancing
murmur softly
caressing one another...
it is as if they wanted to show
all the love
of their blessed composition.

Not even plagues have been able to bring you down
and you have satiated hunger for generations
and you will continue to do so...

Torrents of benevolent grains
travel across the seas from one continent to another
they are generous granaries of the earth
that for centuries have germinated
and have been offered to the peoples...

***

This poem is an ode to wheat, a symbol of abundance, endurance, and generosity.

The cycle of wheat:
* The poem describes the ripening process, from its growth in the field to its transformation into flour and bread.
* Its connection to fertile land and its fundamental role in human nutrition are highlighted.

The beauty and harmony of the wheat field:
* Poetic language is used to describe mature fields, with golden spikes dancing in the wind.
* Wheat stalks are personified, suggesting they communicate and express love through their movement.

The resilience and generosity of wheat:
* Its capacity to resist pests and continue feeding humanity for generations is highlighted.
* It is presented as a "torrent of benevolent grains" offered by the earth to the peoples.

In summary:
The poem celebrates wheat as a symbol of life, abundance, and generosity, underlining its essential link with nature and human survival.

Title suggested by Gloria González

Grove

I saw them in my virgin forests
under the shelter of the hills

By the lake, on the river bank
the Ñirre and the Lenga in the heights
further down, the sacred Canelo
the golden and perfumed Ulmo
the millenary Alerce, the Coigue and the Mañío
The Raulí, the Tepa, the hazel
of early fruit
The Araucaria of the pignon
and the fragrant Cypress.

How many groves have already succumbed
The Alerce and the Raulí depredated
earth transformed into crops

Vigilant in the heights some can be seen
mourning the fall of the Cypress
Like a hoisted flag with their branches
they cry out to human conscience
to let them live in peace
in the sister earth...

***

This poem is a tribute to the beauty and diversity of native forests, as well as a denunciation of their destruction.

The richness of the native grove:
* The poem lists a variety of native trees, highlighting their beauty and unique characteristics (the Ñirre, the Lenga, the sacred Canelo, the millenary Alerce, the Araucaria, among others).

The destruction of forests:
* It laments the loss of many groves, the depredation of the Alerce and Raulí, and the transformation of land into crops.
* The fall of the Cypress symbolizes grief over the destruction of natural heritage.

The call to conscience and ecological message:
* The remaining trees are "vigilantes" that weep and cry out to human conscience to live in peace on the "sister earth".
* It is an emotional defense of native forests and an urgent call to protect them.

In summary:
The poem celebrates the majesty of native flora and raises an alert against deforestation, inviting the preservation of our natural environment.

Title suggested by Yanny Tugores

Sap

Blood of the tree
you flow through resinous slopes
you rise through branches giving life to the leaf

Milky you ooze
like milk from the cork oak
and like resin from distant times
leaving your mark in Baltic Amber

Sap, you are of wise procedure
you search, fertilize, and initiate life
stimulating the trunk
beating like a jubilant heart
rising in spring
to generate fruit and flowering
to later descend initiating
the process of a new generation.

***

This poem is a celebration of sap, the life force of trees, and a reflection on its essential role in nature.

Sap as the blood of the tree:
* It compares sap to blood, highlighting its vital importance as it flows through "resinous slopes" and gives life to leaves.

Sap and its various forms:
* It mentions its multiple manifestations, from the milky substance of the cork oak to fossilized resin in Baltic amber.

Wisdom and the cycle of life:
* Sap is personified as a "wise procedure" that fertilizes and initiates life, beating like a jubilant heart in spring to generate fruit and flowering.
* It shows the complete cycle where it ascends to give life and descends to restart the process of a new generation.

In summary:
The poem is a beautiful and poetic description of sap as an undisputed symbol of renewal, vitality, and continuity in nature.

(Transition page / Next title)

Title suggested by Raquel Patricia Correa

Love

To the earth as a whole
thinking that this is one
and is of all and for all
without borders, and, the fruit of the fields
to alleviate anyone's hunger

It is a dream
because love for the earth
by profiting from it,
is also love for money

The mineral of the earth, for weapons
Sulfates and radioactive elements,
for weapons
The economic love for the earth...

Love of human beings, the true one
where clothing
becomes superfluous
and value is appreciated in the beauty of the soul
where feeling is pure
and the kiss has a different flavor
since it comes from the internal tributary
and not from the external physical
which could mask imperfections...

***

This poem explores different facets of love, contrasting an ideal of universal and selfless love with the realities of selfishness and greed.

The ideal of universal love:
* It begins by describing a utopian love for the Earth, where there are no borders and fruits are shared to alleviate hunger, projecting a vision of global solidarity.

The contradiction of love and greed:
* It denounces the contradiction between supposed love for nature and its exploitation for economic purposes ("The economic love for the earth").
* It criticizes how resources and minerals are allocated to manufacturing weapons over human well-being.

True love between human beings:
* Materialism is contrasted with a pure feeling where the beauty of the soul is valued above the physical and superficial.
* True love springs from the "internal tributary" and transcends appearances.

In summary:
The poem criticizes the hypocrisy of an interested and mercantilist love toward the Earth, celebrating in parallel authentic love as a pure and transformative force of the soul.

Title suggested by Lidia Funes Bustelo

Reverie (Ensoñación)

Imagining a pleasant night
gasping inspiration
among dreams

I do not want to wake from
my daydream
for there I see you and I
feel you
and you belong to my entire
parliament
and my reality is
with you

Reverie with the earth
I saw it so beautiful
full of people
embraced like the stars

I daydreamed seeing
so much wonder
turning to the sun to
give the seed
and everyone ran, rejoiced
sang and my
daydream increased
until I wake up
and want to sleep with my
pillow...

***

This poem transports us to the world of dreams, where reality mixes with fantasy, creating a space of desire and yearning.

Refuge in sleep:
* The speaker expresses a desire to remain in their dream, where they find pleasure, company, and an idealized reality.
* Sleep becomes a refuge where desires are fulfilled and emotions intensify.

Idealized love:
* In the dream, the speaker finds a beloved being with whom they share a deep and complete connection.
* The reality of the dream surpasses the reality of waking, where the presence of the beloved fades.

Earthly utopia:
* The dream extends to a utopian vision of the Earth, where harmony and unity among people reign.

* The image of "people embraced like stars" evokes a sense of community and cosmic connection.

Joy and awakening:
* The dream is full of joy and celebration, with people running, rejoicing, and singing; the image of the sun giving seeds symbolizes fertility and the abundance of life.
* The abrupt awakening leaves the speaker with a deep yearning to return to that idealized world, reflected in the desire to "sleep with the pillow" as a search for comfort.

In summary:
The poem explores the power of dreams as a space of desire, love, and utopia, contrasting it with the reality of waking up and the yearning to return to that idealized world.

Title suggested by Roberto Valentino

Eternity

Complex word
The eternal, things of always
in so many things
Eternal is life on the planet,
that depends on us
and eternal is the planet in the universe
Eternal is love, may it never die
Eternal is thinking that it will be so, but in results
it is an eternal insecurity...
"Eternally yours, for an eternity"
eternity that sometimes lasts moments
and is no longer called "eternity"

"Eternally I will thank you"
that is indeed more sincere
because of instances when a deed is remembered
that leaves a mark on us,
it is gratitude for total time, eternally...

And what's more...
Eternal are the letters
that leave something along the way, leave marks of so many men and women we have read...
"You are my eternity"
I would say looking into my beloved's eyes
thinking that every day of my existence
she and I would be, eternally united.

***

This poem reflects on the complex and often contradictory nature of eternity.

The relativity of eternity:
* The poem recognizes that eternity is a complex word with different meanings depending on the context.
* The question of the eternity of life and the planet is raised, pointing out that these depend on variable factors.

Love and eternity:
* The desire for love to be eternal is expressed, recognizing the insecurity surrounding this idea and criticizing romantic promises that often turn out to be ephemeral.

The sincerity of gratitude:
* The transience of eternal love promises is contrasted with the sincerity of gratitude based on memories and significant experiences that endure.

The eternity of art and the word:
* The capacity of letters and art to transcend time and leave a lasting mark on humanity is highlighted ("Eternal are the letters that leave something along the way").

Eternity in personal love:
* It concludes with an expression of intimate love toward the beloved, desiring a perpetual union shared every day of existence.

In summary:
The poem explores the tension between the yearning for eternity and the reality of impermanence, highlighting the importance of valuing present moments and meaningful connections.

Title suggested by Jorge Aliaga Cacho

Unity

Such a necessary word
in every action, in all things

Unity
in the love of two
in love for our fellows
in community work

Unity
for the earth and its entirety
in word and deed

Unity
that manifests in the field
where communities unite to sow
to harvest and warmly embrace

Unity
in music
where the violin joins the harp
the guitar
trumpets and drums
plus the sweet trilling of the charango

Unity
of the flow descending from the mountain
and from tributary to tributary
joins larger flows
to generate the great river of life
that carries its free waters to the fields
and not to mining companies

Unity
of weight, of measure, of pressure
of promotion...
Magical unity, it is...
when it is of thought.

***

This poem is a celebration of unity in its various forms, from the personal to the social and political.

Unity as a necessity:
* The poem begins by recognizing unity as an essential word in all actions and things, presenting it as a fundamental value for coexistence and progress.

Unity in human relationships and with the Earth:
* The importance of unity in love, community work, and conscious defense of the Earth and its natural resources is highlighted.

Unity in nature and art:
* It is exemplified through work in the field, musical harmony, and the confluences of rivers forming the great river of life.

In summary:
The poem celebrates unity as a transformative force and an essential value for building a fairer, more harmonious, and sustainable world.

Title suggested by Maigualida Pérez

Life

It is in so many things and sometimes there are
those who are dead
in life

My life that abandons me
while death proclaims

Life that continues and is beautiful
to live it to the full
with yearnings
with pleasure and decency

Life of the earth, once again the earth
we always arrive at it
so necessary
our beautiful sphere, round
in the square head
of human beings

Life, little life, little blonde one
or little brunette
being a woman, it is so pretty
with your little black eyes
or azurite ones
A life with you
under the shelter of your warmth
asking life
that you be with me
such is life, and one day
only, with me...

***

This poem reflects on the multifaceted nature of life, exploring its contrasts and its meaning.

Life and death in life:
* It begins by pointing out that life is present in many things, but also recognizing those who are "dead in life", reflecting on emotional and spiritual vitality.

Beauty and connection with the Earth:
* Life is celebrated as something beautiful that must be lived with plenitude and decency.
* It connects deeply with the Earth ("our beautiful sphere"), criticizing the "square head" and lack of understanding human beings show toward it.

Life and love:
* It describes the beauty of woman and the deep yearning to share existence under her shelter, concluding with an intimate reflection on solitude and companionship.

In summary:
The poem explores the complexity of existence, from its contrasts and struggles to the beauty of love and the inescapable bond with the Earth.

Title suggested by Jean Jacques Pierre-Paul

Wandering / Erratic

It is sometimes the word
that is not clarified
and roams through unfathomable abysses
extinguishing the crucible of dreams

Wandering knight
the beggar who has no path
who goes living without destiny

The wandering comet through the universe
crossing galaxies
riding at astronomical speeds
among the stars

Wandering among letters and more letters
until managing to form them
and create with them your goals
finding the necessary path
to reach a good destination.

***

This poem explores the concept of "wandering" in its various manifestations, from existential uncertainty to cosmic travel and creative search.

The wandering word:
* It begins with the idea of the "wandering" word as something ambiguous that roams aimlessly, extinguishing the crucible of dreams and reflecting the uncertainty of language.

The human being and the wandering comet:
* The "wandering knight" and the "beggar" are presented as symbols of earthly aimlessness.
* In contrast, the "wandering comet" evokes the immensity of the cosmos, free travel, and the relativity of existence across galaxies.

The wandering creator:
* The poem concludes by showing how wandering among letters allows giving them shape, creating goals, and finding the path to a good destination.

In summary:
The poem explores the duality of wandering, from its negative aspect of uncertainty and lack of destination to its positive dimension of creative search, freedom, and personal fulfillment.

Title suggested by Mara L. García

Full Moon (Plenilunio)

It is a night,
when the soul resembles the moon
that of the full moon, so large
and as bright as a diamond

Full Moon
amid the dark night
illuminating the prairies
highlighting the steppes
creating a thousand poems

Full Moon
magnificence of the universe
Moon daughter of the sky
mother of every poet in love

Enraptured we offer our intimacy that converges
between heaven and earth
like a legion of passersby
radiating your eternal brightness
and reverencing ourselves before your majesty.

***

This poem celebrates the beauty and mystery of the full moon as a moment of deep connection with nature and creativity.

The moon as a mirror of the soul:
* It compares the soul to the full moon, highlighting its greatness and brightness as a moment of introspection and connection with one's own essence.

The moon as a source of inspiration and magnificence:
* It describes the full moon as a light that illuminates the night and inspires the creation of poems.
* It personifies the moon as "daughter of the sky" and "mother of every poet in love", elevating her to a powerful and transcendent force.

The connection between heaven and earth:
* It evokes a moment of communion and reverence where human beings offer their intimacy, radiating its brightness and paying tribute to its majesty.

In summary:
The poem is an ode to the full moon that celebrates its beauty, inspiring power, and capacity to connect human beings with nature and their own essence.

Title suggested by Guillermo Bazán Becerra

Forgiveness

Forgiveness
for having forgotten you for a second

Forgiveness
for my sins,
forgive me my life

Forgiveness
from the mouth outward
or forgiveness from the soul

Will it deserve forgiveness?
Who are we to forgive?

Knowing how to forgive is wisdom

Eradicating hatred from forgiveness
is a task for the cautious
since forgiveness in many cases
is associated with hatred

They say poets lack the capacity to hate...
will they know how to forgive?

***

This poem explores the complexity of forgiveness, from its superficial expression to its spiritual depth, and raises questions about its meaning and scope.

Authenticity and the fragility of forgiveness:
* It begins by recognizing human fragility in the face of small oversights and sins, differentiating a superficial forgiveness ("from the mouth outward") from a genuine one ("from the soul").

Deservingness and wisdom:
* It questions who has the authority to forgive, ultimately elevating the act of knowing how to forgive to the category of wisdom and virtue.

Forgiveness, hatred, and poetry:
* It reflects on the difficulty of eradicating hatred, since it is often linked to forgiveness, and concludes by asking whether poets, exempt from hatred, possess the secret of forgiveness.

In summary:
The poem invites deep reflection on the nature of forgiveness, its authenticity, the emotional complexities surrounding it, and its supreme value as an act of wisdom.

Title suggested by Carlos Fidel Borjas Díaz

Blessings

Blessings
what a pleasant word, so full of love
Blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus
Blessed are the souls that pour out their love for the world

Blessing is a universal clamor
that crosses stony paths
and transforms into the peace
that peoples yearn for
to coexist in brotherhood

Blessing
benevolent devotion in humanized dialogue
should be the universal proclamation
for all races

We are blessed
we live in a world that gives us everything
to be happy
but those blessings
do not reach everyone

Blessed be he who delivers tools
to achieve blessing for all.

***

This poem is a reflection on the concept of blessing, exploring its meaning from both a religious and a humanist perspective.

Blessing as an expression of love and universal yearning:
* It begins by defining blessing as a word full of love, associating it with the sacred and presenting it as a clamor seeking peace and brotherhood among peoples.

The contradiction of inequality and humanitarian duty:
* It proposes blessing as a universal humanized dialogue and contrasts the world's abundance with the harsh reality that such blessings do not reach everyone equally.

Blessing as a transformative action:
* It concludes by elevating those who deliver real tools to achieve collective well-being and equity.

In summary:
The poem explores blessing as a multifaceted concept encompassing love, peace, social justice, and deep transformative action in favor of humanity.

Title suggested by Mary Guzmán

Hope

How many times in the yearning for them to come true
and sometimes they say:
"No, there is no hope"
None!!!... not even the slightest

Hope of life, of achievements
and even in love, hopeful

Hope in a better world
in changing anomalous behaviors

Those ones are indifferent to the hopes
of those who cry out in pain

Ah, a distant hope!

"Hope is never lost"
And we remain hopeful
and days, years, centuries pass and pass
and they die with their hopes, of waiting
waited, I will wait, I hope...
I, you, he, we, you all, they (feminine and masculine)...
everyone waiting hopeful
and almost never achieved

Closer up, I have known of hopes
of those who yearn to show their works
and they have come true
And my hope of seeing them happy was fulfilled
That feeling of being part of society on one's own merit
Great is hope!

***

This poem explores the ambivalent nature of hope, from its fragility and disappointment to its transformative power.

The fragility and pain of waiting:
* It begins by pointing out how hope is often frustrated in the face of discouragement, reflecting the weariness of those who wait across years and centuries against the indifference of others.

The yearning for justice and transformative power:
* It expresses the deep desire for a better world and concludes by recognizing the greatness of fulfilled hopes, personal merit, and the joy of seeing others happy.

In summary:
The poem offers a realistic yet luminous vision of hope, recognizing its fragility in the face of time and indifference, but celebrating its enormous capacity to transform lives.

Title suggested by María Cristina Farías

Mirrors

"Eyes are the mirrors of the soul"

True, that we can appreciate ourselves in it
but how far can this reflection reach
Certainly, it does not tell us everything we represent
and often hides behind imaginary masks
everything we are and do not want to show

Mirrors
objects at the service of vanity
not for that reason, will they be bad
vanity does not kill

Mirrors
are the waters of the heights
those that struggle to remain
that feed the rains
mirrors of the earth

Your bright eyes are mirrors
when I look into them
and see myself sincere

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?
Woman does not need to ask anyone
for already, by the mere fact of being a woman
she is the most beautiful thing on earth.

***

This poem explores the metaphor of the mirror in its multiple dimensions, from personal introspection to connection with nature and female beauty.

Eyes, vanity, and nature:
* It questions whether eyes reflect everything or conceal what we do not wish to show behind masks.
* It values the mirror as a tool of vanity without considering it harmful and expands the concept towards the waters of the heights as mirrors of the earth.

Reflection in the beloved and female beauty:
* It highlights sincerity when looking into another's eyes and vindicates the intrinsic beauty of woman, exempt from external validations.

In summary:
The poem uses the image of the mirror as a multifaceted symbol representing human introspection, vanity, communion with nature, and essential beauty.

Title suggested by Kriemhilde Hôffter

Illusion / Hopeful Dream

What most calls me to speak on this word is the illusion of girls and boys around the world. Adults often delude ourselves with big things before looking at our environment

We want cars, trips, luxury items, and the best cell phones... Meanwhile, girls and boys dream of a toy, a book, a loving word, a good companion, a nice school and kind teachers, an opportunity to be part of society and its culture... So of illusion, the one I would like to see fulfilled is that which leaves us with a comforting moment of humanity, of fulfilled objectives in our fellows

Illusion of people's understanding to reach agreements through words and civilized dialogue that benefit society as a whole

I often dream of seeing in a home that stray and malnourished dog walking on the street that once had an owner and was banished.

I dream and think that human reasoning may turn it into a good being and that it has learned from its mistakes, generating a good living in family.

I dream, thinking that one day borders will be open, that human beings will embrace one another regardless of nationality, color, religion, or economic status.

***

This poem explores the concept of illusion from a humanist and hopeful perspective, contrasting adults' material illusions with those of children.

Children's illusion and humanity:
* It contrasts adults' material ambition with childhood purity centered on affection, learning, and coexistence.
* It yearns for a collective illusion that fosters understanding, civilized dialogue, and comforting moments of humanity.

Illusions of well-being and justice:
* It expresses personal desires focused on the rescue of helpless animals, human kindness derived from learning, and the opening of borders without distinctions.

In summary:
The poem celebrates illusion as an inspiring force and an engine of change capable of promoting hope, equity, and societal transformation.

Title suggested by Gloria González

Farewells

It encloses a huge world
How many farewells that were
to never return again

Farewells for an early return
and to hold your hand once more
and the farewells of yesterday that we remember
and never forget

Farewells we would never wish to see
where mystery leaves us thinking
and we go about, interpreting through life

Farewells
torrents of passions
that go with it
manufacturing our anxieties
that drive emotions.

***

This poem explores the complexity of farewells, from temporary ones to definitive ones, and their emotional impact on our lives.

The magnitude and duality of farewells:
* It begins by pointing out that a farewell encloses a huge world and contrasts definitive ones with temporary ones that shelter the hope of reunion and constant memory.

Mystery and emotional impact:
* It reflects the uncertainty of goodbyes we would wish to avoid and how farewells act as torrents of passions that forge our anxieties and drive human emotions.

In summary:
The poem examines the deep and sentimental nature of goodbyes, recognizing their diversity and the profound mark they leave in the course of our existence.

(Transition page / Next title)

Title suggested by Julio Yovera

Paths

They are the ones I want to build
and if paths are concerned
there are paths even to the beyond

Paths
that leave tracks on the earth
and walkers who only look at the stars

I walk one day freely
and encounter a border
now, the path is closed for a beautiful life

I walk with you brother
with my beloved and in the field with my plow
so much walking
and sometimes we do not reach our destination

I admire forgers
who open paths
with the power of the word
and sow them with soul-kindness
those paths are truly worth gold
and have no borders.

***

This poem uses the metaphor of paths to explore themes like freedom, hope, overcoming obstacles, and the search for meaning in life.

The construction and duality of paths:
* It symbolizes the creation of opportunities and contrasts physical traces on earth with walkers aspiring toward the stars.

Obstacles and the shared journey:
* It denounces the barrier of borders closing the way to a beautiful life and highlights the companionship of the brother, love, and work in the field.

The path-forgers:
* It praises those who open routes through the power of the word and kindness, building borderless paths worth gold.

In summary:
The poem reflects on life as a journey full of possibilities, obstacles, and the fundamental importance of companionship and positive action.

Title suggested by José Lissidini

Ephemeral

May love not be

May pain indeed be
that it passes and goes its way

Nor that it be of a flower
that I want to bring you for your hair
and I want to see it in every dawn
waking up by your side
it could not be a poppy,
the ephemeral one
that adorns the sterile field
sleepy in the meadow

Ephemeral
defined duration,
short is not my life
as expressed antonym
I keep living it to the full
every day

May your actions not be ephemeral, companion
give it your all and for everyone
your breath with care.

***

This poem reflects on the ephemeral nature of life and emotions, contrasting what we wish to be passing with what we long to endure.

The transience of pain and the permanence of love:
* It expresses the wish for pain to be temporary while yearning for love to endure in time, rejecting the ephemerality of the poppy against the desire for a constant awakening alongside the beloved.

The fullness of life and enduring action:
* It affirms the intensity with which each day is lived despite transience and urges companions to deliver actions with care and lasting impact.

In summary:
The poem contrasts the transience of certain experiences with the permanence of love and meaningful actions, inviting us to live life intensely and leave a transcendent footprint.

Title suggested by Eréndira Ángel

Crucible (Crisol)

To melt yourself into me, in my crucible of fires
to polish you like bronze
that plays a sweet
symphony, like your voice

Crucible
that ardently converges
in my longings for you
crackling you are like the volcano
you explode a thousand
sensations in my soul
intimate in solitude

Crucible
you that burn and undo
iron
function in life
to melt away the anomalous
radiate your power onto it
and pour it into honey

Crucible
we poets will go
filling your cup
with words, deeds, and
unconditional solidarity
to melt it all into
a single
cry of humanity!

***

This poem uses the metaphor of the crucible, a vessel where metals are melted, to explore themes such as transformation, passion, purification, and human unity.

The crucible as transformation and passion:
* It begins with the image of a purifying fire that polishes bronze like a sweet symphony, associating itself afterwards with a volcano unleashing a thousand intimate and passionate sensations.

The crucible as purification and unity:
* It symbolizes the capacity to melt away the anomalous and transform it into honey, concluding with a call for poets to unite in a great cry of humanity and unconditional solidarity.

In summary:
The poem employs the powerful metaphor of the crucible to delve into personal transformation, the intensity of desire, the purging of negativity, and the universal communion of human beings.

Title suggested by Sonia Luz Carrillo

No

Do not tell me no!

Do not tell me, that you do not want my kisses
I fail to understand
I have no time
I cannot take it anymore
I must not behave badly
Do not do, what you do not want
them to do to you
Do not pass
Do not enter
Do not come to me with tricks
I will not let you speak to me like that
Do not yell at me
You did not give it to me

I will not shut up
No, no, no... well now!
Nooo, do not leave me, think of your children!...
To fight for justice...
Eradicate the "no" from our lives.

***

This poem is a torrent of "nos" reflecting frustration, resistance, and the struggle for personal affirmation.

Frustration and personal relationships:
* It begins with a direct challenge to rejection and explores incomprehension in the face of romantic refusal, transitioning through everyday prohibitions and imposed limits.

The complexity of negation and social struggle:
* It shows the ambivalence of "nos" between family pleas and resistance, culminating in a vibrant call to fight for justice and eradicate oppression.

In summary:
The poem stands as a passionate expression against limitation and negation, firmly advocating for autonomy, freedom, and justice.

(Transition page / Next title)

Title suggested by Graciela Fernández

Solitude (Soledad)

In the solitude of my
thoughts
I find answers to
my questions
yet, I would not wish
to have it always
although sometimes it is
necessary

In solitude I see beyond
the present
I commune intimately with all things
had and to be had,
I stimulate my soul
and overflow it with
nature

I fade away sobbing
until the moon appears
and I am no longer alone
in it is reflected my
beloved life
and you even murmur with your
luminescence

Solitude
you amaze me when you are
my best company
you judge me, you calm me
and you are an inexhaustible
source in my frenzy

Solitude
you are no longer such, I already got to know you
we are not alone, you are
my acoustics
my sincere dialogue
you are already, my necessity...

***

This poem explores the poet's complex and ambivalent relationship with solitude, from its utility as a space of introspection to its transformation into a necessary company.

Solitude as a space for introspection and natural connection:
* It describes solitude as the refuge where he finds answers to his questions and manages to connect deeply with nature and the essence of life.

Solitude as company and inspiration:
* The appearance of the moon dispels isolation by reflecting the beloved; thus, solitude metamorphoses into the best company, a source of calm and an inexhaustible spring of creativity.

The transformation of solitude:
* It concludes by fully accepting it not as emptiness, but as an acoustics and a sincere dialogue that have become indispensable.

In summary:
The poem offers a mature and nuanced vision of solitude, recognizing its reflective utility and its profound capacity to become an essential company.

Title suggested by María Rosa Parra

Petals (Pétalos)

That of a rose
as soft and smooth as your skin

Petals
transformed into perfume
is your fragrance of a woman

The flower opens its petals every morning
to show us its color
adorning the garden of love
In prairies and formation
they are sources of life and reflections of the sun

Petals
that move to the sway of the breeze
like an orchestra directed by the conductor
following in its step the great astro sun

Petals
delicacy of the snail
and petals that dried among my books

And I ask myself,
why when night comes
did the petal shrink?
Could it be that it fears the moon,
that it does not want to see the stars
or some early trauma afflicted it?
Flower, show your petals at night
that in the moonlight I want to kiss them...

***

This poem celebrates the beauty and fragility of petals, using them as a metaphor to explore themes such as love, nature, femininity, and mystery.

Petals as a symbol of beauty, femininity, and nature:
* It compares the smoothness of the petal with the beloved's skin and its fragrance with the essence of woman, framing its daytime display as a source of life in tune with the sun.

Fragrance and nocturnal mystery:
* It acknowledges their vulnerability as food for snails or drying between books, questions the flower's nocturnal closing, and concludes with a desire to kiss it in the moonlight.

In summary:
The poem uses the image of petals to reflect on the delicacy, charm, and mystery of existence, paying tribute both to their splendor under the sun and their nocturnal magic.

Title suggested by Wilfredo Dorador

Freedom (Libertad)

Word
that carries so much pain and need

Come, you
cautious of the world
freedom
to those who do not have it
freedom
of expression with respect
freedom
to prisoners for holding a different ideology

Freedom
is not just a word, it is a right
It is
an important part of the individual's life
who
can walk freely through the sidewalks
and
protest without fear of anything

Freedom
neither
does he have it who limits it
He is not
free who with power
takes away
society's freedom

He is not
free who manifests freedom
as
"libertinism" disfiguring the true meaning
of
it irresponsibly

There is,
the freedom to choose
but
not always...

***

This poem reflects on the complexity of freedom, exploring its meaning from different perspectives and questioning its true nature.

Freedom as a fundamental right and its painful absence:
* It begins by linking freedom with the suffering of those who do not possess it, demanding expression, respect, and the release of ideological prisoners as an inherent right to life.

The limits of oppression and libertinism:
* It denounces that tyrants who curtail others' freedom are not free themselves, and rejects irresponsible libertinism that distorts its authentic value.

In summary:
The poem offers a deep and complex vision of freedom, recognizing its character as an indispensable fundamental right while warning against the dangers of its abuse and the real limitations of choice.

Title suggested by Nora Medan

Simple

We simplify
many times
a
simple headache
that
can be a manifestation of illness

We see
life simply
and do not dive fully
into
making it complex
because
simplicity will always
be a matter that necessarily
does not
complicate us

Simplify
your life, when it is complicated
it is
like formatting the soul
or
ordering it, defragmenting it
computer elements
applied
to the human
being
but
better is your mind which can do all

Simple
is: my writing and my desire.

***

This poem reflects on the importance of simplicity in life, contrasting it with the human tendency to complicate things.

Simplicity, health, and life choice:
* It warns about the risks of minimizing symptoms like a headache, while proposing simplicity as a conscious choice to avoid unnecessary complications.

Healing and essence:
* It compares simplification to defragmenting the soul through the mind and concludes by consecrating simplicity as the very essence of the poet's writing and desire.

In summary:
The poem celebrates simplicity as a wise way of life, a method to order the spirit, and a powerful tool to achieve inner peace.

Title suggested by Cristina Dorador

Atmosphere (Atmósfera)

That of
the earth, the most polluted

"A strange atmosphere is sensed"
when
the place encloses something negative

Atmosphere
that
surrounds the earth
protects
and encloses it
Seen
from the sky round and beautiful
to
cross it is of fire

It could even
be said of a beloved
that her
atmosphere encloses
all
her beauty
that my
spiritual ship is the only one
that will cross
her ardent layer

Atmosphere
and its
ozone layer
that
stops UV rays
necessary
for life on the planet
that
is barely seen.

Atmosphere
it is not
necessary to caress it
but
yes, from the earth to care for it.

***

This poem explores the atmosphere from multiple perspectives, from its physical reality and importance for life on Earth to its metaphorical use to describe the essence of a beloved person.

The terrestrial atmosphere, pollution, and its protective function:
* It begins by warning about air pollution and pointing to the atmosphere as a vital shield surrounding the planet, stopping UV rays through its ozone layer.

The atmosphere as metaphor and the call to responsibility:
* It transfers the concept to describe the ardent and beautiful essence of the beloved and concludes with an imperative call to care for it from the earth.

In summary:
The poem offers a rich and multifaceted vision of the atmosphere, uniting its indispensable ecological value with its deep poetic and metaphorical resonance.

Title suggested by Dalia Ruiz Lidid

Void / Emptiness (Vacío)

Falling
into the void
physically
or from the mind

Empty
the
water of the pitcher, fresh and crystal clear
on your
tired feet
and fill the clay cup
so that
you drink by my side

Empty
is
the human being
the one
who sees everything square
who
only has pockets full
with what has been
treasured

I empty
my
life and fill it again
stages
fulfilled and I go to the sea
because
there among waves and sirens
never
void will I find
I empty
my eyes into you with my longings to love
I empty
my hands on your body when touching
I empty
my ecstasy convinced of you
Empty
is your womb
until
I fill it with myself...

***

This poem explores the concept of the void from multiple perspectives, from physical and mental emptiness to existential and emotional emptiness.

Physical emptiness, generosity, and existential emptiness:
* It begins with the fall and the emptying of the pitcher to quench the fatigued, contrasting with the critique of the materialistic and square-minded human being with full pockets.

Renewal in the sea and the emptiness of love:
* It describes the search for fulfillment facing the sea and culminates by surrendering the senses to love, pouring out longings, touch, and body in union with the beloved.

In summary:
The poem offers a multifaceted vision of the void, recognizing its presence in existence and exploring how it is transformed and transcended through giving, nature, and passion.

Title suggested by Adriana Aravena

Sharpness / Clarity (Nitidez)

The most
beautiful, sharpness of your gaze
because
there your truth converges from the soul
and
fills my spirit with you
with
a desperate and frantic devotion
and I
pour myself into you intimate in your eyes
exclaiming
with sweetness your beauty,
my
beloved

Sharpness
everything
clarifies
the
riverbed, the luminosity of the moon
the watchful eye
from nowhere

Clear
I see the horizon and the hiding sun
even
clear the breeze that advances leisurely

Sharpness
after
mud is cleared away
after
turbid waters
after
translucent glass

Even
sharpness in your actions
clean,
clear and pure
Clear
the path
for you to transit
in its brilliance.

***

This poem celebrates sharpness/clarity as an essential quality, both in the beloved's gaze and in nature and human actions.

Sharpness in the gaze and in nature:
* It begins by exalting the truth emanating from the beloved's eyes and extends to the diaphanous clarity of the river, the moon, the horizon, and the breeze.

Purification and clarity in actions:
* It associates sharpness with overcoming turbid waters and mud, crowning it with the purity and cleanliness of human actions and the path ahead.

In summary:
The poem consecrates sharpness as a force that illuminates, clarifies, and purifies existence, encompassing love, landscape, and human conduct.

Title suggested by Inés Quilez

Magic (Magia)

Life
is magic when it touches you beautifully
when
you walk around and meet
so many human beings who are worthwhile

Magic
is in
the garden of ever-beautiful flowers
and a
kiss accompanied by the stars

Magic
is in
the rice paddy that blooms in spring
and gives
early fruit from the earth

Magic
in
love, because it is also magical
from it,
illusion is drawn
a love appears
and pain disappears

Magic
interpreted
as the mystery
of
that which suddenly was born
and has no
apparent explanation

Magic
between
two, when it is total determination
to live the moment synchronized
and on the threshold of torment
to live it once again
as magic of two.

***

This poem celebrates magic in its various manifestations, from the beauty of daily life to the intensity of love and the mystery of the inexplicable.

Everyday magic, nature, and fertility:
* It begins by recognizing magic in fortuitous encounters with valuable beings, extending it toward flowered gardens, stars, and the earth's abundance.

Magic in love and human connection:
* It highlights love's power to erase pain, interprets magic as an inexplicable mystery, and concludes by celebrating synchrony and complicity between two people facing torment.

In summary:
The poem consecrates magic as a luminous force present in existence, capable of transforming reality and filling it with beauty, love, and wonder.

Title suggested by Ricardo Arregui Gnatiuk

Children (Hijos)

The
pleasure of making them
the
joy of having them
the
happiness of living them

Children
of
love
who already
walk on their own footprints

Children
who
left leaving pain

Children
of the
earth, trees, plants, and animals
true
children,
who
have never brandished a weapon

Children
dogs,
cats that accompany
more
than humans, faithful, loyal at every turn

Children
blessed
the ones of
always who love their parents
who
remember
and
are present in their terminal lives

Children
that
I never had, at least biological ones,
of
blood
but,
I knew by the thousands
and they
called me: father, friend, brother...

***

This poem explores parenthood from a broad and affectionate perspective, encompassing both biological children and those who become children by choice and love.

The joy of parenthood and the pain of departure:
* It begins by celebrating the pleasure of conceiving and living children, reflecting both their independence along the path and the nostalgic pain left by their departure.

The children of the Earth, animals, and chosen parenthood:
* It broadens the concept toward nature and innocent, loyal animals, concluding with a beautiful reflection on affective parenthood that transcends blood and multiplies by thousands.

In summary:
The poem offers an inclusive and moving vision of family, paying tribute to the unconditional love that unites beings beyond biological limits.

Title suggested by Cristina Labat

Tenderness (Ternura)

What
a tender word, of love and essence
Tenderness
is so profound,
so
broad and adorable

Your
little face on my shoulder,
caressing
your cheeks
My
lips brushing yours softly
My
eyes caressed in your gaze
My
hands holding yours

Tenderness
is
synonymous with you,
because
you are made of tenderness
because
you stimulate me with your soft
and
tender voice

You are
of good-natured tenderness
and you
stay forever in my dreams
harmonizing
my placid slumber

I praise
your tenderness
that
germinates and infects my soul
Fertilized
it keeps growing and unites
to stay
until even
after
death.

***

This poem is an ode to tenderness, exploring its depth, essence, and transformative power.

Tenderness as essence and physical closeness:
* It begins by defining tenderness as a profound expression of love and portrays it in the most delicate gestures of touch and shared gaze.

Tenderness in dreams and its transcendence:
* It links it to the voice and dreams that harmonize rest, concluding with praise for its vital force that germinates in the soul and endures beyond death.

In summary:
The poem celebrates tenderness as an essential and luminous quality of love, capable of transforming the spirit and transcending time.

Title suggested by Carolina Grekin Garfunkel

Trust (Confianza)

Cannot
be given to just anyone
or to
anything
Because
an artifact,
can
produce distrust
in its
functioning...
and if
it is about human beings,
trust
is a difficult matter

There are
then, those of "absolute trust"
and
whoever has it in someone, blessed is he

and more,
the one who is "Trustworthy"
That
value scale
many
times is conditioned
to such
trust as may be felt
for a
fellow being.

Trust
that
the wind changes and can navigate
that
the rain stops and ceases to flood
that
whoever loves me, does so truly

After
trust comes betrayal
and distrust
positions itself forever
"You betrayed
my trust"
You will not
deserve to be, worthy (or)
of my
trust...

***

This poem reflects on the complex and delicate nature of trust, exploring its different dimensions and the consequences of its loss.

The difficulty of granting trust and its value scale:
* It begins by warning that trust is not handed out lightly to objects or anyone, highlighting the supreme value of finding someone "trustworthy".

Trust in uncertainty and the shadow of betrayal:
* It explores faith in nature's shifts and love's truth, culminating in the pain of betrayal that permanently installs distrust.

In summary:
The poem offers a clear-eyed and profound look at trust, exalting its worth while warning of its extreme fragility in the face of deception.

Title suggested by Ada Barcelo

Plenitude (Plenitud)

I have
felt it so many times
in the
plenitude of happiness
plenitudinous moments,
full of love and passion.

In the
plenitude of my life I always am
In the
plenitude of my soul,
storing
beauty
discovering
paths among groves
A
waterfall of white hair
A
prancing steed
with
its crested manes

Plenitude
the
reason to be fully happy
in
varied fields of the mind
the more
plenitude, the more happiness
It depends
on quality
and even on money in quantity
but
truly
it is the capacity to be happy
and in
every sphere, to achieve and to love.

***

This poem explores the concept of plenitude from a personal and subjective perspective, encompassing both moments of intense happiness and a constant sense of well-being in life.

Plenitude as emotional experience and vital state:
* It begins by linking plenitude with overflowing instances of love and passion, elevating it then to a permanent state where the soul treasures the beauty of nature and landscapes.

Happiness, material factors, and the capacity to love:
* It directly relates plenitude to mental happiness, recognizing external conditioners but concluding that the essential lies in the genuine capacity to achieve and to love.

In summary:
The poem celebrates plenitude as a superior state of existential well-being, achieved through inner harmony, love, and personal fulfillment.

Title suggested by Carlos Arboleda

Nothing (Nada)

Nothing
is in the desert,
dry and
arid everything is dead
Nothing
he saw who said this,
it is that
he did not see with the soul
and there are
times when nothing is everything
it is enough
to look beyond a word

Nothing
in
life is for nothing
everything
is for a reason and nothingness is banished

Nothing
at all, we assert,
not even
the slightest possibility
when
the alternative continues to be,
all
for nothing

Nothing
influences me
and nothing
I pursue with you
although
I would like to have it all I say nothing

Nothing
is indifferent to me,
everything
I keep present

because
I flow from my tributary
in
permanent dialogue
and I would not
wish to be absent.

***

This poem plays with the paradox of "nothing", exploring its meaning from different perspectives and questioning its apparent emptiness.

The apparent nothingness of the desert and its paradox:
* It begins by questioning the superficial view of the desert as a dead wasteland, revealing that with the eyes of the soul nothingness can become everything beyond words.

Existential purpose and permanent consciousness:
* It affirms that in life nothing happens just because and rejects indifference, maintaining a lucid connection and constant dialogue with existence.

In summary:
The poem uses the concept of "nothing" to challenge conventional perceptions, transforming emptiness into a space of deep meaning and vital presence.

Title suggested by Issa Martínez

Incense (Incienso)

Fragrance
millennial ignited in the deserts
Myrrh,
Musk, Amber, and Sandalwood
aromatic
resins of eastern ancestors
therapeutic
religious
aromas
in churches

Incense
of
spiritual value in ancient China
and
Japan
and
Hindu deities
since
earliest times
adoring
their Gods
purifying
holy places

Incense
on camelback
crossed
great distances
beduinos, sands were witnesses
the
Oases knew of its fragrances.

***

This poem evokes the rich history and spiritual meaning of incense, from its origins in the deserts to its use in diverse cultures and religions.

Millennial fragrance and ancestral resins:
* It begins by describing incense and its prized eastern resins as therapeutic and religious aromas consecrated in churches.

Spiritual traditions and trade routes:
* It highlights its sacred value in the East for adoring deities and purifying enclosures, while evoking camel caravans crossing deserts and oases carrying its aroma.

In summary:
The poem celebrates incense as a historical bridge toward spirituality, tradition, and humanity's living memory across centuries.

(Transition page / Next title)

Title suggested by Willfrido Velázquez

Gathering / Harvesting (Recolectar)

The seeds that give life

Gathering an endless number of things
that come together in quantity
and variety

Collector who has admiration
for certain objects

Numismatist, of coins
Philately, of postage stamps

Gathers
fruits in the field
temporary workers who do their work
from early morning
until fall of evening

Fruits that will cross the seas
to delight the palate of other peoples

Gathering poetry
so that one day your work is born
and shared.

***

This poem explores the act of gathering from various perspectives, ranging from gathering objects and fruits to gathering experiences and knowledge.

Vital gathering and the diversity of collectors:
* It begins with life-giving seeds and varied accumulation, detailing the passion of numismatists and philatelists for their particular treasures.

Field work and poetry harvest:
* It describes the effort of temporary field workers whose fruits cross the seas, culminating with the invitation to gather poetry so one's own work germinates and is shared.

In summary:
The poem celebrates gathering as an essential human activity uniting material subsistence, cultural passion, and artistic creation.

(Transition page / Next title)

Title suggested by María Luisa Ortiz

Synthesis (Síntesis)

Synthesizing your life is
an arduous task

We synthesize
To deliver a general aspect
of something written or an
author

It is not necessarily
fair to synthesize
an author's task
which sometimes summarizes
excessively
all the content of their work
if this were the only
way to know them

It will also give us a
synthesis more limited
to its importance
leaving aside certain
words
that will elaborate further
on the character

In synthesis: I am a
Poet, they say...
I don't know if it's true,
but, I enjoy writing

Man of the earth, of
Isla Negra
Chilean, of the whole
world, that...
in synthesis...

***

This poem reflects on the nature of synthesis, both in the realm of personal life and artistic creation.

The difficulty and limitations of synthesis:
This poem reflects on the nature of synthesis, both in the realm of personal life and artistic creation. The difficulty of synthesizing life: The poem begins by recognizing the difficulty of synthesizing one's own life, suggesting it is a complex and arduous task. "Synthesizing your life is an arduous task", shows how difficult synthesis is. Synthesis as a summarizing tool: Synthesis is described as a tool to offer a general overview of something written or an author. "We synthesize To deliver a general aspect of something written or an author", shows synthesis as a tool. The limitations of synthesis: It is pointed out that synthesis can be unfair, since it often oversimplifies an author's work and omits important details. "It is not necessarily fair to synthesize an author's task which sometimes summarizes excessively all the content of their work if this were the only way to know them", shows the limitations of synthesis. Synthesis as selection of the essential: It is recognized that synthesis can also be useful to highlight the most important aspects of a person or a work, leaving secondary details aside. "It will also give us a synthesis more limited to its importance leaving aside certain words that will elaborate further on the character", shows synthesis as selection. The synthesis of identity: The poem concludes with a synthesis of the poet's identity, who defines himself as a man of the earth, of Isla Negra, Chilean, and a citizen of the world. "In synthesis: I am a Poet, they say... I don't know if it's true, but, I enjoy writing Man of the earth, of Isla Negra Chilean, of the whole world, that... in synthesis...", shows the synthesis of identity. In summary, the poem explores the complexities of synthesis, recognizing both its utility and its limitations, and concluding with a reflection on personal identity.