The Ofi Press Magazine
International Poetry and Literature from Mexico City
Poem By Sheila Wakefield (UK). Published in Issue 30. The North East Special Edition: Displacement (Part 2)
Coming Home That first morning, looking at my favourite Munro, apart from Alice, I feel reborn. I shower languidly, dress slowly, sip ‘real’ coffee and unwind. At the wee house, home away from home, without phone or internet, I finally relax, read and write. The soil here is as red as the squirrels. The deer play all day, the owl calls every night. My mother’s family’s bones lie in this earth. I feel at ease, I feel at home. When family illness causes a speedy, premature departure, I become anxious. Three red squirrels cross my track, the deer glance at me in the short cut. I feel then, against all odds, that when I return home, everything will be all right.
| Translation by Karenina Osnaya.
Llegar a Casa Esa primera mañana, viendo a mi favorita Munro, además de Alice, me siento renacida. Me baño lánguidamente, me visto lento, tomo café ‘de verdad’ y me relajo. En la pequeña casa, hogar lejos del hogar, sin teléfono ni internet. Finalmente me relajo, leo y escribo La tierra aquí es tan roja como las ardillas. El venado juega todo el día, el búho llama todas las noches. Los huesos de la familia de mi madre yacen en esta tierra. Me siento aliviada, Me siento en casa. Cuando la enfermedad de la familia Causa un contratiempo, es la salida prematura, me pongo ansiosa Tres ardillas rojas cruzan mi rastro, el venado me echa un vistazo en el atajo. Me siento entonces. en contra de todo, cuando regrese a casa |
About the poet
Sheila Wakefield is a poet, editor and publisher. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Northumbria University and is Founder and Managing Editor of Red Squirrel Press. A recovering workaholic and an insomniac, Sheila lives in Northumberland, surrounded by red squirrels. Her pamphlet, Limerance, was published by Talking Pen in 2012.
Karenina Osnaya is from Mexico City and is a regular contributor and translator to The Ofi Press.