Retírate / Antonia Palacios

Retreat

Retreat. Retreat within. Just beyond, further inside. Push until you touch the edge. Breathe hard. Exhale the repressed air in your breath. Don’t stop. Learn to walk backwards. Leave your forehead uncovered. If they injure you make your body jump, shake off the blood, the dark dust. Don’t let the light dazzle you. Close your eyelids and watch what the darkness radiates. Carry your faded word with you, your budding song. Inaugurate your voice in the depths.




{ Antonia Palacios, Ese oscuro animal del sueño, Caracas: Monte Ávila Editores, 1991 }