Lázaro Gutiérrez

Caonao

I do not try—I simply am—I simply flow—
When I was born, my mother threw
my matrix chord into a river,
“para que siempre avances” she told me.

So, I do not try—I simply flow—
like river waters, I go, I go, 
streaming down—molding and folding,
over rocks and over barriers,

But I do not try, I do not try,
I simply am—I simply flow,
and like that river, like a steady stream,
before my eyes my life unfolds—

And without trying, I carve the earth,
mountains, and valleys,
the hardest of stones,
I quench thirst, I feed, I bring light,
But—I do not try—I simply am,
I simply flow—

I flex, I morph, without resistance,
morning drops upon the petal,
burning ice, rain, fog, snow
I am all—but—I do not try,
I simply am—I simply flow—

My ripples move effortlessly,
whatever place my vessel goes,
songs of the wind, songs of the sun,
I jump, I splash, I boil, I fall,
and through it all—

I do not wish to be but water,
I do not try—I simply am—I simply flow—

Lázaro Gutiérrez is a Cuban-born writer, poet, and essayist. His family immigrated to the United States when he was eight years old. Lázaro has been writing stories and poetry since he was young. He attended Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC where he studied Educational Studies and minored in English literature. Lázaro’s work tells the stories of his upbringing, his love of nature, immigration, as well as love, fatherhood, and the intricate human experience. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in various literary magazines such as Agora!, Of Earth & Sky, You Might Need To Hear This, Tint Journal, Snapdragon: A Journal of Art & Healing, Vermilion, Latino Literatures, Discretionary Love, Molecule - A Tiny Lit Mag, Somos en Escrito, Frontera Lit, and Azahares Literary Magazine.