Poems by Alicia Minjarez Ramírez

BAKLAVA AND HONEY

Distant contiguous strokes
set up the prayers of Anatolia.
Eclectic fragrant spices
clove, sumac, vanilla and cinnamon
overflowing cornices.
Gold, silver, apple tea,
water pipes, almonds and kaput
songs of your lineage!

Indigo horizons
melt the earth
of mud and jade
in baklava and honey;
musical odors
surround
nocturnal savannas
in the edge of the days.

Bare fingers
on red-berried mistletoe and oaks
require the transcending kiss,
reaching the limits of touch
bluish declining
of our belongings.

As affable Sultan
dressed up with Habiye silk.
Transcribe my dreams
with watercolors of straight lines
to drown the sun within,
in the bowl of my palms.

© Alicia Minjarez Ramírez
Translation: Alaric Gutiérrez