Sandra's Book, Lluvia

[Diane]

Sandra from Chile - who used to post as 'Sandra' and now as 'lluvia' - sent me a copy of her poetry book, Lluvia, and with her permission I am writing here a very brief description of what I like about it.

It's one of life's pleasures to receive a surprise in the post, particularly from a far-off land. Lluvia has a simple lilac-coloured cover and a faint sort-of-incense-smell (I always smell new things, especially books, and they often suggest this enticing aroma). Poems are in four sections, in Spanish with English translation on the opposite page, making it easy (for an English reader) to glance over to see how lines read in the original.

The first section, which sets the intimate tone of the book, is entitled La Lluvia/The Rain. My fave from this part is A Single Drop, which is about a single drop of rain heralding a downpour - I know this drop! - great to find a poem about it: (I feel like) lighting a fire and waiting for its rattle-tap/in an intimate atmosphere in the night (en un ambiente intimo en la noche - doesn't everything sound better in Spanish?).

The second section, Con Generosidad/With Generosity, is of simple expressions of gratitude for love. A haiku selection:

1992

I see you trembling,
as I come closer to you
all the world fading

Section three is Los Espacios Mas Sutiles/The Subtlest Spaces. I quote the first lines of The Letters: letters were born on a paper/like a spoonful of stars. This section in particular reminds me of Zen poetry in its directness. An example, Greeting in the Country opens with,

in the open air
under the blue sky
I am

The final section, Dedicadas/Dedicated, poetry about Sandra's dearest family and friends, is my favourite part because it reminds me of a long-ago exchange on the forum I had with Sandra about the importance of intimate connections. Two pieces:

Basquiat (to Basquait)

among the sublest spaces
we found each other
I can not see you but I know you,
when between the lines
and in the quiet air
the chucao sings softly

the Chucao is a typical bird from the forest of the southern part of Chile

---------------

Mi amigo (to G.T)

words had never had more sense than now,
we play the ping pong game so well,
we never fail a single stroke
you throw, I get
I propose, you accept
you insinuate, I guess,
sparks crossing the space
always touch the right place,
silence has never served
so meaningful as now my friend.

Congratulations, Sandra, in getting your fine work into print, and in a fitting simple and attractive presentation. And thanks everso for the gift!

[lizzytysh]

How absolutely beautiful and Sandra-like, Diane.
Thank you so much for your lovely description of a clearly lovely book. I miss having Sandra in this section. These poems are so representative of the simple and profound beauty she brought to the page and our sensibilities.


~ Lizzy

[lluvia]

Diane...you have been so kind to post about this in a thoughtful and interesting way.... you have selected some of my favourites....thanks so much!
Lizzy, I appreciate your words...thanks so much!

[lizzytysh]

You're very welcome, Sandra. So deserved .

Is your book for sale?


~ Lizzy

[lluvia]

poetry is difficult to sell I have not tried Lizzy...I edited this book to accomplish a kind of "dream" ...

[lizzytysh]

That is its own reward, then, Sandra... a dream worth pursuing and a dream come true for you .


~ Lizzy
xxx

[Cate]

What a wonderful gift Diane. It sounds beautiful and I like how you've described the sections that the book is divided in.

Basquiat (to Basquait)

among the sublest spaces
we found each other
I can not see you but I know you,
when between the lines
and in the quiet air
the chucao sings softly

This is lovely - she (you Sandra) has created a wonderful sense of this space.
I would love to hear it in Spanish … I don’t speak it but it's such a pleasant language to listen to.

[lluvia]

Gracias Cate (in spanish...
the book has the poems in both english and spanish ...

Basquiat (a Basquiat)

en los espacios más sutiles
nos hallamos,
no te conozco pero puedo verte
cuando entre líneas
y en el aire quieto
el charcán canta suavecito.

[Diane]

De nada for the small write-up, Sandra.

If you wanted to, you could offer your book for sale privately through paypal, were anyone to contact you and enquire.

What a wonderful gift Diane.

Yes:-) One to treasure.

Basquiat (a Basquiat)

en los espacios más sutiles
nos hallamos,
no te conozco pero puedo verte
cuando entre líneas
y en el aire quieto
el charcán canta suavecito.

Spanish is a fine language, not that I speak it either, but for example you have the most excellent word for which there was no English equivalent until we adopted it, el duende (it's no accident that FG Lorca is LC's inspiration - and btw nice wikipedia piece here, that mentions LC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duende_(art)) - plus the similar term el canto hondo (cante jondo); the deep song. No one language or culture has everything sewn up with regard to language or music does it?

Here's another of the short ones I like of yours Sandra:

Fecha equivocada

unos dicen que naci en invierno,
otros dicen que en verano,
la lluvia ha borrado el pasado
con sus pequeñas manos

------

Wrong Date

some say I was born in winter,
others say it was summer,
the rain has erased the past
with her small hands

------

I see from your bio info in the book that this poem has a literal basis, but as well as the great imagery of rain washing the past away with its hands, it's a little zen lesson in taking what's on now for what it is...

[lluvia]

I appreciate your comments and ideas very much Diane...

[lizzytysh]

Great idea, Diane.
Please give it serious thought, Sandra .

[lizzytysh]

That's a glorious, transporting one, Sandra/Diane.
Imagining the rain with its tiny hands carrying months away with it.