Contemporary World Literature
A Poem from Peru
Homage to Mother
By Ramina Herrera Arteaga
Ramina Herrera Arteaga, born in Luya, Amazonas, Peru in 1979, is a Business Administrator by profession. She graduated from the National University of Trujillo – UNT. She received an honorable mention in the 2002 UNT Flower Tales. Her poetry “Memories of Unborn” was published online by the magazine “Voices” of Spain. In 2006 it was included in the anthology “Caminos de Poesía” (Editorial Fund of the Provincial Municipality of Cajamarca. ”In 2007 it published the Poemario“ Nocturna Soledad y otros Poemas ”(Katequil Editores). Currently finishing the layout of the second edition (digital) of “Nocturna Soledad y otros Poemas”, culminating in the poems “WRITINGS OF THE LUNA WOMAN” and “LUYA, PEDACITO DE CIELO”; also promoting a group OLEOS Y VERSOS -PERU that brings together poets and visual artists to join to a larger Latin American group called JUNTOS POR LAS LETRAS, headquartered in Argentina; participates in the Global Poet and Poetry group and is an active member of the board of directors and editorial board; She has been awarded many prestigious recognition for her writing.
I learned it from you
As a child, I don’t remember seeing you cry
Always strong,
With unshakable temperance
Smile on face
But it lasts to breed
With discipline to four children!
I saw you fulfill different roles
Garden teacher
Housewife
Entrepreneur in trade,
Agriculture, raising, guinea pigs,
Rabbits, pigs, chickens
Baking panels,
Making jam,
Making weaklings
And many other etcetera
I wonder now
How did you do it?
You had the help of my older sisters
But you multiplied.
I admire you mother
Because you didn’t spill
Tears when you should,
When you shut things up
And you kept them in the depths of your soul,
When you were smiling on the outside
And many times your heart was shattered.
I admire you mother
Because you were always there
For the four children
Always supporting
Always praying!
I, the little black sheep
I bless you with much or little light
That I have in my soul
And I am immensely grateful
Having accepted me as a daughter,
I learned more than I planned
You taught me what your conscience knew
But mine still did not wake up
And today, 41 years later
And unveiled some bandages
I follow
Needing your lap
Of your hugs
Of your kisses on my cheeks
To sleep next to you!
I love you, mom,
What I have learned to date
I learned it from you,
I don’t have your strength
But I am a little ant
Working like you,
I don’t have your smile
But if the nobility of your heart,
I don’t have your wisdom
But if you want to learn,
I don’t have eyes that hold back tears
But I promise to do less
I don’t have your courage
But I keep going
Despite my obstacles
The good in me … is thanks to you…
I LOVE YOU MAMA WILMA!!!
___________________