Masks of Hope/Máscaras de Esperanza

MASKS OF HOPE

            for Karen

This might be a Boruca Mask

made by a native artist from colonized

territory in what is now called

Costa Rica. Painted, wild,

coming at one from two sides

reflecting different strategies

of confrontation and attack.

Arrival maybe, or maybe,

just take notice,

the moment has arrived,

I'm here, and that's enough.

The nose, however,

gives itself away. It's not

Boruca, too pointed,

like the prow of a ship

parting water, parting waters,

saying with confidence,

Make way. It is, nevertheless,

the mask of a warrior,

one ready to do battle

for the day. Las tierras

con más dolor entregan

la más esperanza--lo mejor,

en realidad. Mascara Mexicana,

por ejemplo. These are Masks

of  Hope delivering attitude,

they are the vaccine

you've been waiting for,

come from animal spirit

integrando un golpe enorme

a la plaga de su vida cotidiana.

These masks come from

Karen's sewing machine.

Máquina de coser.

They come from Karen's hands.

These are Masks of Hope.

They are the masks of the immigrant

confronting your fear,

they bring immigrant energy,

nueva esperanza.

The Mask is the medicine.

Jim Bodeen

3 April 2020