Magnetic islands

Magnetic islands
in ascending flavours

Enclaves with the warm skin
of an earthy shell
with walls of dreams
such is the work of a mouth
Nerve endings run amok, transmigrating

The tree grows inwards
as do veins

As do bodies confined
to their own garments
to their own flesh and bones

Eyes also are directed inwards
the palms of the hands spread out
dilating the body
hurling it straight ahead
fleeing into space

Outside the sun is powerful enough to soothe
your teeth
and against the window that most electric blue
becomes enraged

What you can sense outside is the smell of a new bird
the changing complexion
of heavy skies
toward drowning shores

Outside, plants are bursting in the direction of
light freshly expanding their skins

Dark air under the sun
like September rains when waking up

I sleep barefoot
and matted on the edge of my bed
I mime terse caresses
confirming this confinement



Islas magnéticas

Islas magnéticas
de sabor ascendente

Enclaves de piel tibia
de coraza terráquea
la pared del sueño
el oficio de la boca
Las terminaciones nerviosas desbocadas, transmigradas

El árbol crece hacia dentro
las venas también

Así los cuerpos confinados
a su propia vestimenta
a sus propias carnes y huesos

Los ojos también hacia adentro
las palmas extendidas
dilatando el cuerpo
lanzándolo al frente
intentando huir hacia el espacio

Afuera hace un sol que calma los dientes
y sobre la ventana enfurece el azul más eléctrico

Afuera huele a pájaro nuevo
a tez liberada
a cielo pesado
a orilla náufraga

Afuera las plantas estallan hacia la luz
expanden sus pieles limpiamente

Oscuro aire solar
como lluvia de septiembre al despertar

Yo duermo descalza
y apelmazada en la orilla de mi cama

gesticulo caricias secas
que redundan el encierro



Elastic sea

The scent is that of a crushed scream
entangled and flung into that white dimension
of time contained within marble till now unspoilt

So tiresome the light, so far away from
the other half of the planet
such an uncommon search for a proud body
like an elastic shadow, the unravelled path,
endings that are so close by

So elastic is the sea
its rare allure
its mystical shudder
its sovereign beginning

So elastic is the sea that today it appears as a woman and tomorrow as a man
so elastic that you can carry it under your skin
like a limitless urging
or a second skin
that few can touch or understand
that few can hear
that few can discern

So elastic the sea, the sea, the seas, the tides and the waves that gave birth to me,
that ensnared me, that
knocked me down, that sheltered me, that killed me
and buried me

So elastic the sea that its brine gave me
sons and daughters
moons and suns and a sunken mountain for me to hide within
and fear no more

The sea, a wild mass where my skin and my body will survive,
yes, my also elastic body
at this belated juncture

There was a sea. It was to be found in a country
called ‘whereIwasborn’.



Elástica mar

Huele a grito vencido
enredado
tirado en la blanca dimensión
en el tiempo ocupado de mármoles intactos

Tan cansina la luz y tan lejos de la mitad del planeta
tan insólita la búsqueda de su cuerpo

altanero

como sombra elástica
camino deshecho
finales a medio suspiro

Tan elástica la mar
su rara tentación
su temblar místico
su principio autónomo

Tan elástica la mar que hoy es una mujer y mañana es el hombre mar
tan elástica que es posible llevarla debajo de la piel
como una instancia absoluta
como una piel más
que pocos entienden
que pocos escuchan
que pocos perciben

Tan elástica la mar, el mar, los mares, las mareas y las olas que me parieron, que me enredaron, me revolcaron, me cobijaron, me mataron y me enterraron

Que entre sus sales me dieron hijos e hijas, lunas y soles y una montaña subacuática para esconderme y así no tener más miedo

La mar, de cuerpo salvaje en donde sobrevivirá mi piel, mi cuerpo, mi también elástico cuerpo con su confluencia tardía

La mar había. La mar quedaba en un país que se llamaba “dondeyonací”

Ana María Reyes Barrios

Ana María Reyes Barrios was born in Venezuela, and currently lives and works in London. She studied Art and Documentary Film, and has produced and directed several documentaries in Cuba, Venezuela, Spain and the UK. Very much a nomad in spirit, she has travelled and lived in several countries throughout the world. As an author, she writes both poetry and fiction. She regularly takes part in poetry readings and literary gatherings in London, and has co-directed the Poesía Pandémica workshop. Her first book, Sombras de la Sal (2021) was published by Ediciones Equidistancias.

© Ana María Reyes Barrios