Poems

So much has happened on this travel seminar that it is impossible for me to tell it all. I want to share with you four poems that our group wrote. They are communal poems. We each wrote a line.


H.I.J.O.S. -- HIJOS is an organization of young Guatemalans who are fighting a symbolic battle to continue the voices of their parents who were "disappeared." It was a very meaningful visit for me and I really respect the work that they do to honor the memory, truth, and justice of those who were "disappeared" during the war.

HIJOS de toda America Latina, que se solidaricen ya!
A los padres, devuélvenlesla dignidad detrás de sus luchas.
Este es un proyecto simbólico, la única manera de tener un cambio es destruir el sistema.
Para continuar la lucha en la voz de nuestros padres y recuperar sus memorias, la justicia, y la verdad.
Es una lucha simbólica, sin armas, con palabras, y el poder de la memoria.
A powerful repetition of voices. History?
No-holds-barred nonviolence, tagging for your father, tagging for your mother.
Unforgettable, unforgivable, government issue assasination
"No olvidamos, no perdonamos" -- memoria historica.
Tragic history, uncertain future.
De cenizas salen HIJOS.
Not halted by the past, united in the present, gives hope for the future.


La Casa del Migrante -- La Casa del Migrante is a shelter for migrants from everywhere. They provide meals, clothes, and facilities for those going north as well as those who have been deported. One of their valid criticisms of the US is that it is illegal to help migrants so people are afraid to offer food and help to migrants because they are afraid they will go to jail. They ask, "What kind of law is that? That you cannot help someone who is suffering. That is not a law."

A safe space, a home to many. How many?
"En la iglesia catolica -- NADIE es Extranjero"
3 nights on the way there and back -- Guatemalans understand.
Migrants, refugees, because of the civil war.
And more -- the proceso de conscientizción in these tierras.
Held a gun. The giant is only invisible when you are sitting on its own eyeball.
What do we want? Space to dream and work on alternatives.
How can we build houses, schools, and hospitals if we are living to pay off our country´s debt?
¿Pero que paso a los 183 que nunca vinieron?
Neoliberalism in Guatemala facilita que las grandes empresas can rob el pueblo through tax paid contratos con el goverment.
A place for the misplaced, a refuge for the refugee.


Cajolá -- Cajolá is a community that is trying to fight against migration to the US by creating jobs locally. It was interesting to see a group drawing from what they saw as the best of capitalism and communism while at the same time trying to hold on to their Mayan traditions and roots.

Nosotros queremos una revolución, un cambio.

Están escogiendo la dignidad en los raíces de la vida del pueblo.

Quemos crear trabajo para prevenir la migración de nuestros niños.

Reunited families

Resisting Mexican eggs by producing our own makes our community stronger and self-sufficient.

Re-defining the Guatemalan Dream, in Guatemala.

Building a future that remembers its past.

Autonomy -- authority from within, so no fear of ideas from outside. In fact, we decide.

Hijo, cuando regreses, recuerda -- tráigame un "toaster," y los planes de este "space shuttle."

A sweet synthesis, the positive overlap of two worlds.

Synthesis that speaks to hope and a more just world.

Santa Anita -- Santa Anita is an autonomous, ex-guerrilla community that farms organic coffee and bananas. We spoke with Marconi, an ex-guerrilla, who told us about his years fighting in the mountains. I was on the brink of tears throughout our talk with him because I am so amazed at how gentle and hopeful he remains, despite the struggle and suffering he experienced.

Guatemala no es un país pobre. Es un país rico sólo que los flores, las plantas, las montañas, están en pocas manos.
La guerra se acabó pero la lucha sigue.
Necesitamos un gobierno que representa el pobre, los campesionos, no solo el sector de dinero.
No se puede seguir dando pain killers a una enfermedad seria. Se necesita una solución.
Una solución:¨Live in a way where my choices don´t hinder another, and rather support a system, a movement, and a lifestyle where others, animals, and the natural world live in a place that is just and fair.¨
Los sueños viven, y si nos unimos sí se puede cambiar...
Los murales son puentes, nuestra tierra, nuestras vidas.´
"No nos pueden sacar--si nos sacan, gritamos a los cuatros vientos."
Pero en realidad, no sabemos que va a pasar.
Cuentos de unos entrentamiento entre un pueblo y su país, el dinero, y la gente.