This blog is a cooperative effort between my father, the well known Colombian writer, Luis Zalamea and me – Pilar Kimbrell, poet and yogini. The Spanish versions of my poems (I write in English) are much more than translations; they are Spanish versions written by my father. It is impossible to translate poetry word by word and create poetry in the target language. My father and I work closely on all the Spanish versions, and I also create English versions of his poems. We will post some of these on the blog as well.
We hope readers will enjoy this “duo” effort!
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Dear Pilar and Dad,
Just now looking at your wonderful website/blog! Awesome! I hope the two of you continue working together! You are both inspiring!
Love,
Maggie and Steve
Hey just checking out the blog with dad! Most are your poems translated by dad, right? How about you translate some of dad’s poems? How cool would that be???
So glad you guys liked the blog – I will try and translate some of dad’s poems – but honestly, it is quite a struggle for me – I think over the years, my Spanish has become weaker and weaker…..Lots more to come – I don’t think it is important to have every poem inboth languages – so I want dad to send me poems to post just in Spanish, as there will be some just in English by me – Also we would love to post any pix you and Steve find appropriate – family album time? Big hug!
Such a beautiful site, Pilar! I’m enjoying the photos, & look forward to reading your poems as well. Nice meeting you in the park today with the pooches! Find me on Facebook—Sue Arbuthnot. Cheers!
Hi Pilar,
I really enjoyed some of these – can easily visualize some of the PNW sights you describe. It was great to catch up with you, as you will see in the mail.
Jean O’Neil, Ed O’Neil
Thank you – lovely to hear from you. In Miami with 91 yr old dad – celebrating our birthdays….Stay well!
Hello,
I was wondering if you could provide a history of your father’s works. I work at Worcester Academy, and I am interested in reading his fiction in Spanish.
Best,
Anthony Butler
Hello:
I am sure he would love to hear this and oblige your request – please e mail him directly and explain all – lzalamea@bellsouth.net
Yours,
Pilar
I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. At the end of the book “Dartmouth at War” I read how you were a copy boy at United Press in the summer of 1940. It happens I was also a summer copy boy at the New York Herald Tribune at the same time. Ialso remember meeting some classmates on the street and accompanying them to a bar where they showed old movies and you drank beer and shucked peanuts. I don’t remember all who was there except Mike DeSherbinen and Jim Farley. I din’t return to Dartmouth either, however, it wasn”t my choice. My problem that led to an invitation not to return was a result of my failure to develop a good study/work ethic, although I did work off probation in my freshman year. I Also I had a disdain for the blue books and instead of preparing for finals I took to the road with a dorm mate after a couple of beers to see the Giants and Dodgers collide at Ebbets Field
Today when I came out of the grocery store I found someone had left a copy of your book Steps Toward the Light on my windshield. The copy looks new. I’m in Portland OR. This is a mystery
Christine – I left that book on your windshield – I live near that market and recently arrived back in Portland. I have been gifting my book on cars across the country as we drove from Pensacola, Fl. back to Portland in honor of my father – Luis Zalamea – who I share this blog with and did all the Spanish versions of my poetry book. He is at present dying, and I felt that by gifting our poetry book, I could honor his memory and talent. I hope you enjoy the poems, and the blog – by the way how did you find our blog? I hope you will pass the book to others as you see fit and that the words speak to you –
Yours in light and love,
Pilar
I will continue my poetry gifting as I walk my dog around this city which is now beginning to blossom so amazingly – and in that way send my father love and light…
Thank you for your gift! Sorry to hear about your father; it is indeed a fitting tribute to him as well as to your late husband. I have been involved in Portland’s poetry scene for the past seven years as a spoken word performer and open mic host (although I’m moving away from words into music and visual art these days) so what a coincidence! I found your blog by googling your name.
Wow – the world has a way of pushing us in the right direction…..I would love to read your work – do you have some on the internet? Maybe meet some time – after I have come out of this situation…..I am so glad I picked your car – and hope others will respond too! Blessings
Just read Unkindness! Loved it! I need some messengers too! Loved seeing the photo of you and dad!!!
Thank you sister – it means a great deal to see you on the blog – this way we keep dad’s memory and joy alive! Keep checking for new poems – I am trying to do what I promised him – WRITE and sometimes it’s very hard! Seeing your response helps! Love you