the promise
the wine glass broke
spilling a thousand wishes
like my childhood secret
and the tell-tale stain on my dress
shall we vow without witness
freedom
the only indelible promise
michèle voltaire marcelin
2 Responses to “the promise”
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Michèle Voltaire Marcelin is a poet/writer, performer and painter who was born and raised in Haiti, sojourned in Chile, and currently lives in the United States. The publication of her first novel “La Désenchantée” (CIDIHCA, Montréal-2006) was followed by its Spanish translation “La Desencantada” and two other books of poetry and prose: “Lost and Found” and “Amours et Bagatelles” (CIDIHCA, Montréal-2009) - translated into Spanish by Editorial ALBA as "Amores y cosas sin importancia" - all of which garnered rave reviews. Her writings are also featured in 3 anthologies published in France: "Cahier Haiti" (published by RAL'M-2009), "Terre de Femmes" (Editions Bruno Doucey-2011) "Revue Intranqu'îllités" (2012). She speaks and writes fluently French, English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. She has a BFA from the Leonard Davis Center for the Performing Arts at CUNY and a Masters from The New School for Social Research.
Gorgeous!! Thank you, Michelle. Hope your holidays a beautiful and blessed.
Tammy
M2,
As I watch my own broken glass
On the floor still…unpicked
Serving as tangible reminder
Today I will thank you
For translating so well
The manifestation…
So—to you, ‘the promise’
And the logical need
Granted in freedom
Claiming self back
At times I pause longer on
“When love is not madness, it is not love.”
By Pedro Calderon de la Barca
And wonder what good is it
Eventually to have love
And loose self in the process?
If so, would it be fair or stupid
To think then loving really means
No longer loving self?
If so, by all means
Hand me some damn glasses
The act of breaking is useful!
Boulegra in 2009
Kafe