Ode to: The Ice Maiden of Ampatos Summit [now in: English and Spanish]

Dedícate to Antonio Castillo. L. Of. Los Andes Universitario

Ode to:

The Ice Maiden Of Ampato's Summit

English Version

Part One The Climb

In the spring of my life, in my village

By the Andes, I awoke one morning

To find I was chosen for a journey

How shall I say: to the summit of Ampato!

Ampato, our sacred mountain

I climbed with our holy priests.

I found myself twenty-thousand feet high;

I would be the sacrificial offering

Ordained so, by our celestial chief priest.

Once on top, death could scarcely be

Any bitter than its wild arduous winds;

And the icy cold Andean ceremony?.

And there I sat, within the clouds, and rested

With figurines of silver and gold,

And beautiful textiles adorning me

All dressed, in fine indulgent funerary,

I was to be, the Inca Ice Maiden

Now ready for death and burial.

'I hoped the gods of Ampato,' so I prayed

'Are pleased today'; for my body,

Will be frozen soon, anyway.

Yet, I'm so very cold, and my hands clutch,

To my dress-tightly, against my side;

I cannot see anything vividly.

Thus, the holy moment has come for me

I died with every hope that was.

(Five-hundred years ago!...)

Part Two Beyond Death

I felt my soul, my spirit, fall, falling

In this thick discolored air,

After a very, very long silence;

No woman, though woman I once was,

Once was, and now my blood lumped

Lumped and frozen like ice knobs.

The soul maker, from whom gave me

My first breath at birth?

He is coming now, He's nearby

As I reply, He sees my soul cry-

My tears, frozen tears?melt

I will be, resurrected (He tells me)

He rules the earth, its mountains

All its waters and skies,

His holy Inca city, must be nearby?

'Lead me,' I sigh, a lowly sigh-

'Lead me to this Holy Inca City,

And leave my cold ill body behind.'

And He smiles, as he leads me

Leads me with untouchable hands,

Leads me to the Holy City!... #748 7/4/05

∆

In Spanish/Español

Translated by Nancy Peñaloza Edited by Rosa Peñaloza

La Doncella de Hielo De la Cumbre de Ampato

Versión en español

Primera parte

La Subida

En la primavera de mi vida, en mi pueblo Por los Andes, desperté una mañana Para encontrar que fui escogida para un viaje.

Como voy a decir: ¡A la cumbre de Ampato! Ampato, nuestra montaña sagrada Subí con nuestros santos sacerdotes.

Me encontré a 20,000 pies de altura; Yo sería el sacrificio ofrecido Ordenado así, por nuestro celestial sacerdote principal

Una vez en la cima, la muerte apenas podría ser Nada más amarga, que sus arduos vientos salvajes; Y la ceremonia andina fría helada-.

Y allí me senté, entre las nubes, y descansé

Con las estatuillas de plata y oro,

Y el textil hermoso adornándome

Toda vestida, en el fino funerario indulgente, Yo debía ser, la Doncella Inca de Hielo

Ahora lista para la muerte y el entierro.

"Esperé que los dioses de Ampato", por eso recé "Estén contentos hoy día"; por que mi cuerpo, Será congelado pronto, de todos modos.

Todavía, tengo tanto frío, y mis manos enganchadas, A mi vestido- fuertemente, contra mi costado; No puedo ver nada vívidamente.

Así, el momento sagrado ha venido para mí Muero con cada esperanza que hubo. (¡Quinientos años atrás!....)

Segunda Parte

Más Allá de la Muerte

Sentí mi alma, mi espíritu, caer, cayendo En este aire espeso decolorado, Después de un, muy largo silencio

Ninguna mujer, aunque mujer fui una vez Una vez fui, y ahora mi sangre amontonada Amontonada y congelada como copos de hielo.

El Hacedor del alma, por quien mi primer aliento Me fue dado al nacer.... El está viniendo ahora, El está muy cerca.

Como respondo, El ve mi alma llorar- Mis lágrimas, lágrimas heladas...derretirse Yo seré, resucitada (me dice El)

El gobierna la tierra, sus montañas Todas sus aguas y cielos, Sus ciudades Incas santas deben esta cerca?

"Guíame" yo suspiro, un suspiro humilde "Guíame a esta ciudad santa Inca, Y deja mi helado cuerpo enfermo atrás".

Y El sonríe, mientras me guía ¡Guiándome con sus intocables manos, Guiándome a la ciudad santa! .....

#748 4 de Julio del 2005

Dennis Siluk Poet, see his new book "Spell of the Andes," at http://www.amazon.com

---

The Valley Of Pain

We were exiled from the Garden of Eden. Its... Read More

Opposites Do Attract Quite Well

When I am climbing up, you are stepping down. When... Read More

Song of the Great Zimbabwe, and Silver and Inca Blood [Poems and notes]

"Song of the Great Zimbabwe"Across the African, winter's skyIn the... Read More

Since Youve Been Gone...

My life has changedin so so many waysIt seems to... Read More

Farewell to Lester Graybill

I never met a man, who could shake my hand,... Read More

Kens Poem

How wonderfully sweet to be a dweller dwelling... Read More

Review Of Stephen B. Wileys First Book Of Poetry: HERO ISLAND

Poet Stephen B. Wiley's first book of poetry, Hero Island,... Read More

Ceasar Vallejo: Black Roses [In English and Spanish]

Cesar Vallejo: Black RosesBow down your head ol' poet- To... Read More

The Art of Receiving Poetic Critique

You can show your poem to your mom, your spouse,... Read More

Why I enjoy Writing?

During interviews and general conversations with the public,one of the... Read More

Eds Poem

Ed Gallagher Dec. 11, 1907 - Sept. 5, 2004This poem... Read More

Three Love Poems [all wicked]

Advance: Mr. Dennis Siluk's poetry can have its fire-hearted twists:... Read More

A World That Doesnt Care

War bombs may explode demolishing man and land. Hurricanes may... Read More

A Case of The Fears

Chicken Soup is good for a coldSleep is good for... Read More

Commuting Hell!

It's dark, it's cold, its' just six thirty,thoughts of sleep... Read More

The Poets Corner [Three Poems with a review]

The Poet's Corner [Three poem/ see review of poetry under... Read More

Asha of Darfur [A poem with a commentary by the author]

Asha of DarfurCry, cry-oh little Darfur woman For your sister... Read More

Mother, I Dont Mind The Pain

I am among those who know that one never recovers... Read More

Ole Bulky Jeeps & Paper, Ink and Rain [two Peoms]

Ole Bulky JeepsThrough late summer's heat These bulky shaped jeeps... Read More

Blind Designs [a Poem] and a Note by Rosa on The Other Door

Blind DesignsBorn today, gone tomorrow Like a butterfly with no... Read More

Two Poems: Boyhood, and Old Age [with a note on style]

BoyhoodOh me! Thy glorious days have flown! I mealy noticed,... Read More

Give Me a Lily Pad & The Continuum [two Poems]

What can I do to keep this world in its... Read More

Poetry and Popular Culture

Is poetry too complicated for the average reader? Is it... Read More

Wars, Air of Ambiguity [for: Lt. Laura Walker] in SPANISH and English

Wars, air of AmbiguityDedicated to 1st. Lt. Laura Walker (From... Read More

Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Discussion of How Do I Love Thee?

"How Do I Love Thee?" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning was... Read More

Testimony to the Night [In English and Spanish]

In the quiet of the arctic night- In its deep... Read More

Listen as I Share: WE

You speak simple, completley understandable justifications I respect them, respect... Read More

I Saw the Universe

I can see the cerulean blue of the skiesOr the... Read More

Burning Autumn Leaves [a poem in Spanish and English]

Burning Autumn Leaves [1950s in St. Paul, Minnesota]My long steel... Read More

Im Sorry Mom! A Mothers Day Poem

Mother's Day Poetry,I'm Sorry Mom!I'm sorry for the troubles ... Read More

Two Poems and a Short Story

1)dying in the bar [sluggishly]yet, I would crawl too upto... Read More

Banana Republic

Like a cat I slumber, blissfully unencumbered, Through eighty per... Read More

RISK

Do not be afraid to shine. This world needs what... Read More