Poems I Brought Down from the Mountain by Humberto Ak'abal

by Humberto Ak'abal

Poetry by Guatamalan poet, Humberto Ak'abal, a Maya-K'iche' Indian. The poems are published in their original language, and most are also translated into English. A glossary and pronunciation guide are included.

Genres: Poetry

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Humberto Ak'ab'al (1952 - 2019) was a poet from Guatemala.

Reviews

[David Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Camino al revés"

De vez en cuando
camino al revés:
es mi modo de recordar.

Si caminara sólo hacia delante,
te podría contar
cómo es el olvido.

********

"Sólo quien"

Sólo quien no ha esperado
te
habla
de
paciencia

********

"Hablo"

Hablo
para taparle
la boca
al silencio.

********

"Suelta"

Hay lugares
por donde la noche
anda suelta
y uno hace cosas
que después
quisiera olvidar.

********

Poems I Brought Down from the Mountain; first read in San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala (2002); re-read in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia (Jan/Feb 2021).

[Daniel Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profoundly beautiful. I wish it was more widely available. Say what you want about Bly's translation style, but he has tended the garden of international poetry well in bring us works by poets like Ak'abal.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite poets. I love that there are not only Spanish translations but the original Ki’che’ for some poems.

[Pilleriine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing poetry. Ak'abal effortlessly captures the beauty and pain of nature and people or being a human, being a Mayan. Simple but so profound, leaving you continuously pondering about life.

[Taylor Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Que el tiempo pasa por mi. Yo no quiero pasa por el”
“May time pass through me. I don’t want to pass through him”

[Dr. David Tack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous translation!