Poesía Libre

Poesia Libres (Free Poems) was originally a Central American literary journal of workshop poems that strived to break the distinction between the amateur and professional writers. The workshops were created by Ernesto Cardenal, the prolific revolutionary poet, priest, and former Minister of Culture. His Ministry was committed to making art accessible to the masses. As a fellow Nicaraguan poet, his works continue to inspire me. I wanted to revamp this publication because many of Cardenal's poetry workshops were shut down by the current Nicaraguan President, Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo. Murillo opposed Cardenal's beliefs and defended the interest of professional artists. She did not believe the literary budget should be spent on 'semi-literate workers & peasants'. Murillo viewed Cardenal's publications as pamphleteering rather than art. Ortega stripped Cardenal of his title of Minister of Culture. In 2008, Cardenal denounced the corruption of Daniel Ortega and accused him of running a family dynasty reminiscent of that of the Somozas. Fast forward to present day and this statement couldn't be more accurate, Nicaragua's history is repeating itself. The government has once again declared war on its people. Poetry is the revolution. It's our duty as poets to speak up and bring awareness to the realities of our world. Poetry unites and is far more powerful than any bullet. Nicaragua's media, along with other countries in the world, is heavily monitored and censored. Writers and reporters are killed for doing their job. I was born in a free country, I plan to maximize our right of free speech. Poetry is our salvation, and with this publication, the aim is to deliver poetry to the masses once again. I've created this publication in honor of Ernesto Cardenal and all the poets, worldwide, who came before me. Poetry is far from dead.