Claudia Rivera Barbeito
2 Poems
Cano
Sunken eyed figurine -
Sun, metal, oil-stained hands
Nurtured gardens, memories, and my father.
31 days bedridden, isolated
Escaping your mind and being
So close to losing it.
Indoctrinated tear-less boy
Your voice breaks as you speak
Of love, abuela and Jayuya
Of life, God and death.
I have seen you at your worst and I still love you.
Broken toughness
Sweet dreams
Welcome back,
You’re home.
Un Sentir
He buscado entre canciones
El viento que alivia dolores
Corro montes,
el verdor de una isla que
Nunca se pudo poner de pie
Y doy las gracias
Me perdono.
Amarillas son las flores que
Crecen en tierra seca.
Cogen pedazos de sol
Y se alimentan.
Temo que algún día
Nos cansemos de querer.
Sentir que existes,
Florecer en una cama de cristal.
Esperando que llegue
el viento que alivia dolores.
Bio
Claudia Rivera Barbeito is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine who hopes to go into the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Claudia uses her writing to reflect on her experiences as a young woman from Puerto Rico and exploring nostalgia through childhood memories. She enjoys hiking, painting, photography and playing tennis.