“Anoche soñé con la niebla / Last Night I Dreamt About the Fog” by Xánath Caraza

“Anoche soñé con la niebla / Last Night I Dreamt About the Fog” by Xánath Caraza

 

Xanath Caraza

Anoche soñé con la niebla.

Se me metió en la memoria.

Atravesó mis recuerdos

llenándolos de luciérnagas rojas.

Se me acercaron mariposas azules

Espíritus de agitado vuelo entre la bruma.

 

Soñé con el chipichipi nacarado.

Me llamaba desde lejos.

Caminé por callejones empedrados

humedecidos por la lluvia.

Soñé la montaña de cumbre nevada

con estrellas desgarrándose del cielo.

 

Recuerdos perdidos de la infancia

Suspiré en voz alta

El aire se llenó de cocuyos verdes

que me guiaron en la noche.

Sentí el aroma a café por las calles

y reviví una tarde fría de invierno.

Caminé entre galerías de arte

 

Hundí mis manos entre minúsculas jacarandas

y el violeta se tatuó sobre mi pecho.

Aspiré la niebla de mi sueño

y un beso extraviado golpeó mi memoria.

 

Anoche soñé con la niebla

Arrullada por tus versos.

Seguí el camino que marcaba

que me guió entre torrentes de agua.

Me dejó entre papel picado

y olor a tierra mojada.

 

Con palabras que flotaban en el aire

fundiéndose entre ámbares y turquesas,

una canción se advirtió en la distancia

para los de alma de pirata.

Anoche soñé con la niebla.

Me llamaba desde lejos.

 

Xanath Caraza

Last Night I Dreamt About the Fog

 

Last night I dreamt about the fog

It came into my memory

It traversed my recollections

Filling them with red fireflies

Blue butterflies approached me

Possessed spirits fluttering in the mist

 

Mother of pearl I dreamt about drizzle

It was hailing me from afar

I strolled down cobblestoned alleyways

Moistened by the rain

I dreamt about the snow-capped mountain

With stars ripping down out of the sky

 

Lost memories of my childhood

Aloud I sighed

The air filled with green fireflies

Guiding me in the night

I took in the aroma of coffee in the streets

And relived a cold winter’s afternoon

I walked in, out of and between art galleries

 

I submerge my hands into tiny flowers of jacaranda

And the color of violet is tattooed on my chest

I breathed in the fog of my dream

And a lost kiss found me

 

Last night I dreamt about the fog

Lulled by your verses

I followed the fog’s path

Through torrents of water

It left me wrapped in cut paper

And the smell of wet earth

 

Words floated through the air

Melting between stones of amber and turquoise

A song called from afar

For those with a soul of pirate

 

Last night I dreamt about the fog

It came into my memory

 

“Anoche soñé con la Niebla / Last Night I Dreamt About the Fog” were originally published in my bilingual book of poetry Conjuro (2012).

 

Xanath Caraza

Conjuro received Second place in the ‘Best Poetry Book in Spanish’ category of the 2013 International Latino Book Awards.  In 2013 Conjuro also received Honorable mention in the ‘Best First Book in Spanish, Mariposa Award’ category of the 2013 International Latino Book Awards. Conjuro was an award-winning finalist in the 'Fiction: Multicultural' category of the 2013 International Book Awards.

 

Xanath Caraza

Arts in Unexpected Places

Don’t discount the Inland Empire: The Arts in Unexpected Places

Margaret Elysia Garcia (Upton)

Since 2022 and the publication of my first book, I’ve been to more than my share of literary festivals, art walks, and public events welcoming booths for small presses. I’ve done it enough now that I will always say yes to some (shout out to LA Zine Fest, The Bay Area Lit Festival, Laguna Beach Lit Festival, and East LA Book Festival and the Goddess Mercardo for outstanding, high attendance, author and book supportive events). I’ll also say  there are a few that I will never participate in again because of their antagonistic and exploitative nature (I’m not going to out a certain cultural festival in LA—you can message me for that info). So, believe me when I tell you that I am constantly impressed by both Riverside and Pomona.

Riverside takes so much heat for being “backward” and voting poorly, but when you look closely there’s a good deal to be said for the city. I’m not talking about the University of California, Riverside’s excellent, renown low-res MFA—though that is certainly an artistic draw to the city and excitement. I’m talking about downtown Riverside. In my mind, three organizations have produced the trifecta of an arts scene. The Riverside Art Museum/The Cheech and the magnificent showcasing of Latino/a art, the monthly Artwalk, Inlandia Institute and its collaboration with the Riverside Public Library. Each time I go to an event hosted by one of these institutions or some of them in collaboration I’m struck by great turn out and personally more than decent booksales.

Gente are craving art and not just the stereotypical stuff. They are coming out to events as families and buying books for the children and themselves. That will pay off in later years when those kids become adults who’ve grown up with the creative arts front and center in their lives. Mark my words: though 54% of Americans across the board sport an under sixth grade reading level, one of the groups improving and climbing out of that statistic is us. With more and more Chicana/o and Latina/o indie authors focused on our history, culture and bilingual efforts in English and Spanish for the youngest readers up to adult readers the more collectively we are soaring ahead. Exposure to the arts is a driving feature.

I spoke recently with Inlandia Institute staff—there was a bunch of change over in the last year as retirements took place and millennials took the helm. That’s so exciting to me. One of the things mentioned to me was trying to expand the idea of Inlandia to incorporate events and arts outside of just the city of Riverside and reaching more into the smaller areas in the county without that ease of access to the arts. It brings me hope for the future. With the exception of the Bay Area which just is a reading culture, Riverside has me excited as one of the two southern California arts towns.

Up the road a half hour is the other great up and coming city of the arts: Pomona. Pomona has this vibe of “okay we’re still part of Los Angeles County, but are we really?” And it feels like it’s own entity. Recently I attended an artwalk but I’ve been coming here a good deal for literary events the last three years and I’ve seen the excitement and commitment grow. There’s Urban Lopez Farms hosting literary events and its become the new home of Obsidian Tongues—the once a month open mic hosted by former Pomona poet laureate Cesar K Avelar. There’s the amazing Cafe Con Libros hosting a bookstore, lending library, hang out space, and coffee all under one rough. There selection provides a great cross section of important indie books, BIPOC books and children’s. Also the community vibe is very strong.

Last time I was there, I was part of a poetry reading at Gallery Yasmin, a newer gallery with a law office in back and a dedication to showcasing Latino/a and Chicana/o art. I was part of a poetry reading there that mixed English and Spanish writing poets. The owner is excited to host such events. The room was packed to listen to poetry. Outside, people were gathering for both artwalk and pride events. It was so teaming with people that I had trouble finding parking at first. I love that. I walked around practically dancing; I could hear Mexican music everywhere. I loved seeing all the families out, people on dates, elders all walking around downtown checking out art and literature and vibing to great music. Now that’s how you vitalize a downtown.

Martina Has Too Many Tías- Martina tiene muchas tías

Written by Emma Otheguy

Illustrated by Sara Palacios

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Print length: 40 pages

ISBN-10: 1534445366

ISBN-13: 978-1534445369

Reading age: 4 - 8 years

Grade level: Preschool - 3

A quiet girl overwhelmed by her rambunctious family finds a magical land of solitude only to discover what truly makes a home a home in this lively and magical bilingual picture book that reimagines the beloved Caribbean folktale “La Cucaracha Martina.”

Martina does not like parties. Parties are full of tías with their flashy fashions and boom-and-bellow laughter that’s too much for quiet Martina. At least with all that noise, no one notices when she slips away. She finds herself in a magical place: a warm, familiar island where she can finally play in peace and quiet. Martina is home at last—or is she?

Martina tiene muchas tías 

Una niña callada que se abruma fácilmente por su escandalosa familia encuentra una tierra mágica y silenciosa en la que descubre lo que hace que un hogar sea un hogar en esta nueva versión del muy querido, alegre y mágico cuento folclórico caribeño “La cucarachita Martina.”

Las fiestas están llenas de tías con sus ropas coloridas y sus risas escandalosas. ¡Eso es demasiado para Martina! Por suerte, con tanto ruido, nadie nota cuando se da una escapada.

Martina se traslada a un lugar mágico —una isla cálida que le resulta familiar— en donde puede jugar en paz y tranquilidad. Martina está, por fin, en casa —pero ¿es realmente su hogar?

Review

"In this sweet homage to the Caribbean folktale “La Cucaracha Martina,” a young girl comes to cherish familial love. Colorful, digitally rendered illustrations have a three-dimensional, collage feel, exuding warmth and light and capturing a child’s world of imagination. . . An affirming story that feels like a warm hug from a beloved relative." -- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

"A seemingly simple story that speaks to the importance of water conservation. . . [Engle] works in the delight this neighborhood experiences with an understated but resonant message that is never preachy or pitying. Sua’s illustrations made on painted paper depict the liveliness with brilliant greens and majestic blues. . . Sprinkles of Spanish add to the sense of place. . . Engle packs so much into just a few powerful sentences. An excellent choice." -- School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

"Otheguy riffs on the Caribbean folktale “La Cucaracha Martina” in this emotionally aware story about family and self. . . . Circular forms suffuse Palacios’s festive digital renderings of Martina’s magical journey toward family connection." -- Publishers Weekly

Emma Otheguy is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture books A Sled for Gabo and Martina Has Too Many Tías, the bilingual picture book Martí’s Song for Freedom, and the middle grade novels Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene, Cousins in the Time of Magic, Silver Meadows Summer, and, with Adam Gidwitz, The Madre de Aguas of Cuba, part of the Unicorn Rescue Society series. Visit her at EmmaOtheguy.com.

Sara Palacios is the recipient of a Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor for Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match and the illustrator of several other picture books, including A Song of Frutas, The Flying Girl,and Martina Has Too Many Tías. Sara graduated with a degree in graphic design and went on to earn BFA and MFA degrees in illustration from the Academy of Art in San Francisco. A native of Mexico, Sara now lives in San Francisco. Visit her at SaraPalaciosIllustrations.com.

A Voice Unsilenced: Parable For Resistance

Review: Carmen Tafolla. Thelma Ortiz Muraida. The Donkey Lady. A Graphic Parable. San Antonio: Aztlán Libre Press, 2026.isbn ISBN: 978-0-9905779-7-3 

Michael Sedano

My granddaughter read Maus in high school. A graphic novel in a high-level English class perplexed me. Back in my youth, Classics Illustrated was the epitome of "funny books." Comic books featured heroes, cute characters, animated icons. Classics Illustrated broke down the essence of a work like Romeo and Juliet and turned it into a comic book whose twenty-five cent price put them out of reach.

Graphic novels are a different experience.

I've now read my first graphic novel. Poet Carmen Tafolla, working with illustrator Thelma Ortiz Muraida, adapted a San Antonio legend and packaged it for older children, the story of a woman burned to death by covetous men.

Donkey Lady has a rough edge to it. That's the name given to a quiet woman's spirit. In life her neighbors called La Callada after her characteristic silence. She grows the best produce around and when the grocer displays La Callada's tomatoes and vegetables, customers snap them up.

La Callada's horticultural technique is not just owning good tierra but having good relations with the garden. The woman lives close to nature and such harmony yields outstanding produce and jealousy. Jealous men want the woman's land and take lethal action to drive La Callada off her land.

She is a woman of her land, and defies the nighttime raiders with a refrain, "no sir! this is mine and here I'll stay where the trees and the birds and the wind know my name." She remains and the marauders burn her home with La Callada inside.

This is seriously violent stuff. With illustrations. And it's a true story, 100 years old. Kids deserve to learn this history and its lessons.

The authors, recognizing a possible confusion between an illustrated children's picture book and this tale, open the book with a page of warning. "This is a graphic novel for adults and children over nine." Warning notwithstanding, there's a page of discussion questions on the last page. 

Kids in classrooms and book groups will enjoy delving into the deeply serious issues Tafolla raises. Gente familiar with this SanAnto story will note Tafolla's fleshed out the attackers, adding a decent woman--the wife of the main attacker--and brings that man to a just fate.

Donkey Lady, as a parable, offers a host of discussion points that could be lessons about resistance, racists, ignorance, being different/individualistic, and most of all, the spirit world.

The Donkey Lady's provenance as cultural knowledge particular to San Antonio has a fit emergence into the outside world through one of the United States' best small presses, Aztlán Libre Press (link). La Bloga welcomes work from this publisher, such as J Lo's Nalgas (link), and a granddaughter's poetry tribute to her abuelo (link). its Aztec calendar coloring book, Alurista's Tuna Luna. Readers can order The Donkey Lady from the publisher. Reliable indie booksellers like Libromobile can order your copies.

“En las yemas de los dedos / On the Tips of My Fingers” by Xánath Caraza

“En las yemas de los dedos / On the Tips of My Fingers” by Xánath Caraza

 

Xanath Caraza

Xanath Caraza

Xanath Caraza

En las yemas de los dedos

 

Xanath Caraza

Traigo a los ancestros tatuados

en las yemas de los dedos.

 

Huellas dactilares,

única identificación.

 

Su sangre se revuelve

en las manos.

 

Los salvajes movimientos

reviven la historia.

 

Un trazo en la página,

una sílaba renace.

 

Los humeantes espíritus

se levantan del papel.

 

Siento a los ancestros en la sangre.

 

Los transpiro cada día,

circulan en rojo.

 

Brotan los tatuajes

en mi rostro.

 

Movimiento y poesía

giran en la piel.

 

Emanan los ancestros de mis dedos.

Se concentran como

hilo de oro en las puntas.

 

Cubren mis uñas

con sus cantos.

 

Se alargan hasta tocar

el corazón de jade.

 

¡Palpita, huehuetl prohibido!

¡Resuena, teponastle prohibido!

 

Salgan de la página a llenar

el mundo con sus ritmos.

 

Xanath Caraza

 

Xanath Caraza

Xanath Caraza

Xanath Caraza

On the Tips of My Fingers

 

I carry the ancestors tattooed

on the tips of my fingers.

 

Fingerprints,

unique identification.

 

Blood stirs

in my hands.

 

Fierce movements

revive history.

 

A stroke of the pen on the page,

a syllable reborn.

 

Smoky specters

arise from the paper.

 

I sense the ancestors in my blood.

 

I perspire them every day,

they move about in red.

 

Tattoos emerge

on my face.

 

Movement and poetry

spiral on my skin.

 

The ancestors radiate from my fingers.

They concentrate like

golden thread on the tips.

 

They cover my nails

with their songs.

 

Stretching out until they touch

the heart of jade.

 

Beat, forbidden huehuetl!

Ring out, forbidden teponaztli!

 

Escape the page to fill

the world with your rhythms.

 

Xanath Caraza

 

Xanath Caraza

Xanath Caraza

Imágenes por Stephen Holland-Wempe y Xánath Caraza en Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado.

Xanath Caraza

“En las yemas de los dedos / On the Tips of My Fingers” están incluidos en el poemario Balamkú (2019). Traducido al inglés por Sandra Kingery.

 

Xanath Caraza

In 2020 Balamkú received second place for the Juan Felipe Herrera Best Book of Poetry Award by the International Latino Book Awards.

 

Xanath Caraza

Balamkú (Es una zona maya del estado de Campeche en México) significa: el templo del jaguar

  

Xanath Caraza