Rompeolas
Homenaje a
Julia de Burgos
Chicago, IL
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Voy a hacer un rompeolas
con mi alegría pequeña...
No quiero que sepa el mar,
que por mi pecho van penas.
No quiero que toque el mar
la orilla acá de mi tierra...
Se me acabaron los sueños,
locos de sombra en la arena.
No quiero que mire el mar
luto de azul en mi senda...
(¡Eran auroras mis párpados,
cuando cruzó la tormenta!)
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No quiero que llore el mar
nuevo aguacero en mi puerta...
Todos los ojos del viento
ya me lloraron por muerta.
Voy a hacer un rompeolas
con mi alegría pequeña,
leve alegría de saberme
mía la mano que cierra
No quiero que llegue el mar
hasta la sed de mi pena,
ciega en mitad de una lumbre,
rota en mitad de una ausencia
2022 | Rompeolas: Homage to Julia de Burgos @ Chicago, IL
Julia de Burgos García (February 17, 1914 – July 6, 1953) was a Puerto Rican poet, an advocate of Puerto Rican independence, a member of the women's branch of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party, and a civil rights activist for women and Afro-Caribbean writers.
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Inspired by Julia de Burgos' poem Rompeolas, we created a mural from a place of nostalgia and longing. This poem was one of Burgos' last pieces, written while she was living in New York. Our intention with this mural was, beyond capturing Julia's essence, to connect with the Puerto Rican diaspora. This particular poem captures the longing one may feel while living far from Puerto Rico.
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In this mural, Julia's hands stand out, writing the poem that transforms its surroundings, bringing forth a beautiful landscape. The sea, the mountains, rivers, and magnolias are some of the elements that are found in her poems. It also includes the letters to Consuelo, Julia's sister, which allowed greater insights into Julia's daily life. Finally, all these elements are accompanied by portraits of her. A solemn one and a cheerful one, both sides of Julia.
This mural was created with the utmost respect, honest love, and honor towards Julia de Burgos. We hope that it helps to disseminate her legacy and that the diaspora may feel closer to the sea.
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This mural was commissioned by the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center and made possible with the support of The Bloomingdale Trail.
Photography by Kelvin Rodríguez