The Brush: Poems

Eliana Hernández-Pachón · ★★★★

La Mata, or The Bush, or The Brush, as translated by Robin Myers (who has provided a sturdy translation of the original), is a long form poem depicting two characters as they experience one of the worst massacres in early 20th century Colombia, The Massacre of Salado. It is a poem of voices, of unassuming witnesses. Often the only one left who can speak is naturally voiceless: the titular brush in this case. It is an effective conceit and a brilliant way to convey what she has to say about this violence.