Well, it's that time of the week again. And, oh look: Rachel has chosen a poem at random. Kind of.
This week, we're looking at 'I Like To Kiss Scars' by Rosa Chavez (translated by Gabriella Ramirez-Chavez)
I like to kiss scars
there, where the skin grows tougher
there, where the memories are visible scars of every shape and size small marks across your lips on your eyelids, in your gaze I like to kiss bodies that are cartographies carved with destiny’s knife I like scars there, pain takes form skin grows again skin and heart become tougher right where the blood was, right at the wound
I absolutely adore this poem. I've only just read it right now, two minutes ago, but I desperately want to find more of Rosa's work. This piece, man. As someone who has scars because I'm clumsy and I fell over a lot as a child, this is beautiful.
I love the description of bodies being 'cartographies'. That's absolutely beautiful. Thinking of a body as a map of the person's life is phenomenal.
There's also a lot of implications on emotional scars as well towards the end of the poem. 'The skin and heart become tougher'. I love it.
I can't wait to see what you think.
Great piece. Sensual and poetic. "Carved by destiny's knife" My favorite
This is quite sensual. Simple, but pleasant to read. I agree- it does make me want to read more of Rosa's work. They seem to master the art of romance well, despite the minimalist-ish style. Thanks for sharing :)
That was such a beautiful poem. I have a couple of scars. Most notably one right in the corner by my left eye. I bent down to pick a balloon up off the floor for a toddler at a party, and smacked it against the corner of a metal chair… I was probably over the age of 17 at this point 🤣🤦♂️