By Linda Morales Caballero

Intimate Bull

It’s a bull with wings,
a living engine
beneath July’s roaring star.

His hypnotized legs
glide aerodynamically,
while light shines
on its shadowy angles.

Its beauty is
a captive carburetor,
healthy smoke
from blood in vitro.

Ecce toro,
multiform waves
through butterfly veins.

From what perspective
does the human hand
delight when it intimate touches
its rotten fruit heart?

Originally published in Enclave magazine, City University of New York

Thirst

I am an infinite animal
turning into a plant, a letter,
a manuscript, a tributary river
that rolls on stones
and is voice and matter
in this hallucinating body.

I am hunger
rejoicing in modesty,
cadence of spheres
that water me
with their harmonizing songs.

I'm glowing music
that breathes, and I am
Thirst.

Deficits
2020

Today, turbulence
cracks the caress
imprisoned in the screen.
Until yesterday
creation moaned torn.
Zeros adds up the epicenter
when the moon breathes roses
by the deer.
Deficits peep
at the suppurating
mirror of the abyss.
Is anyone distressed by the common lung,
by the 480 million creatures charred?

Oh, what a pleasure this silence is,
the multiplication of beings,
the absence of guests,
wine in the udders of summer.
Like narcissistic
blind divers
today we find urgent
the karmic threat
of our extinction.

Originally published in L L Journal from the Graduate Center, CUNY

The Importance of Arts, Culture, The Creative Process, and how this project resonates with you.: This project deeply resonates with me, because the creative process and the Humanities, in general, have been the driving force behind my life's work. It seems unimaginable to me that a society could exist where the Humanities are not considered one of the most important aspects of life. In my opinion, we came to this world to create. Some of us do it through the arts and the Humanities. It is within these fields that the human soul can truly be reflected to understand and value the world, life in general and our own selves. The creative process allows us to accompany our journey, seeking to make sense of the mysteries of life.

What was the inspiration for your creative work?
The inspiration for my creative work has always stemmed from life’s mysteries, personal interactions, human nature, the contemplation of life as a mystery, its manifestations though humans, animals, nature in general. Also, the need, at times, exorcise reality to transform it. My work has been shaped by existential questions that prompt us to reflect on both our inner world and the world that surrounds us. It’s about the need to understand and communicate through creativity, aiming to develop a personal philosophy of life that will allow us to value and respect human experience.

Tell us something about the natural world that you love and don’t wish to lose. What are your thoughts on the kind of world we are leaving for the next generation?
One of the issues that deeply impacts my sense of belonging to this world is my concern for nature, especially animals. I have an entire book of poetry dedicated to this painful topic, that has not been published yet. To me, animal life, nature in general, and the indifference of most humans toward these issues are incredibly difficult to process and impossible to accept. We have absolute responsibility in this matter for the present and for future generations. We cannot pretend that we are not guilty of the destruction of this planet. It’s a deeply painful topic for me. I wish I could do more through my writing to raise awareness and wake up those who continue to live in denial about where we are headed—a world where money will no longer be able to buy water or air, a world where people may kill each other to survive because the resources we now waste and abuse won't be available anymore. Plus, I am extremely concerned about the way we treat animals in big factories. I cannot believe the degree of insensitivity and greed that guide those in charge of the wonderful creatures they torture daily.
People need to wake up or we will become extinct.

Photo credit: Manonce

Linda Morales Caballero is a poet, short story writer, educator and journalist. Her books include seven poetry books and one fiction. El libro de los enigmas, from which a play in Spain and a short film in New York have been produced. She received the International Latino Books Awards, 2020

Sed

Soy animal infinito
convirtiéndose en planta, letra
manuscrito, río afluente
que rueda sobre piedras
y es voz y materia
en este cuerpo de alucinación.

Soy hambre
regocijándome en la modesta
cadencia de esferas
que me riegan
con sus armónicos cantos.

Soy música resplandeciente
que respira, y soy
Sed.

Toro íntimo

Es un toro con alas,
motor vivo
bajo la estrella
fulminante de julio.

Sus hipnotizadas patas
se deslizan aerodinámicas,
mientras la luz brilla
por sus ángulos sombríos.

Y es su belleza,
carburador cautivo,
saludable vaho
de sangre in vitro.

Ecce toro,
multiforme oleaje
por las venas mariposas.

¿Desde qué perspectiva
goza la mano
cuando acaricia íntima
el corazón podrido
de la fruta humana?

Originalmente publicado por la revista Enclave de CUNY (City University of New York)

Déficits
2020

Hoy la turbulencia
quebranta la caricia
reclusa en la pantalla.

Hasta ayer
gemía la obra
desgarrada.

Ceros va sumando el epicentro
cuando la luna respira rosas
por los ciervos.
Déficits asoman
al abismo supurante
del espejo.

¿Acongoja el pulmón común?
¿Los 480 millones de criaturas calcinadas?

Cómo me place el silencio,
la multiplicación de los seres,
la ausencia de invitados,
el vino en las ubres del verano.

Cual narcisistas
buceadores invidentes
hoy nos parece urgente,
la kármica amenaza
de nuestra extinción.
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