Oneyda González

Oneyda González’s collection, The Infinite Loop / El lazo infinito is a remarkable bilingual collection of poetry. Perhaps rather than thinking of these poems as a mere loop, it might be better to consider them as a Möbius one, where there is neither inside nor outside. And where for the purposes of reading, there is not an original text, but rather a text of entry, be it in Spanish or in English.
To add to the complexity - most enjoyable complexity - we also need to take into consideration the loci of enunciation of the author. Cuban, but in the US, writing in Spanish, but publishing in translation and all the underlying politics of reception that necessarily go beyond González’s stance on the matter, but are nonetheless, unavoidable: the persistence of history.
It would be wise then, to pay attention to González’s warning: “No voy a seguir aquí - I will no longer remain here” (124-125), in which she presents herself as “una ambigua sombra entre las ramas (an ambiguous shadow among the branches)”. Where the in-definition persists, then the available option for “Los que me buscan, que se busquen (those who seek me, let them seek themselves)”.
Like any deserving collection of poetry, González’s work invites us to a careful reading and a willingness to let the images grow in time. It is worth noticing that the three sections of the book: El lazo (The Loop - although I am tempted to lean more toward “lasso”), Ante el espejo (Facing the mirror), and El otro y yo (The other and I), propose a close link between the poems and their readers. It is well worth the effort and the risk, of finding ourselves reflected in mirrors, entangled in her loops.… (más)

Please note: My review is based on an early reviewer copy.
Oneyda Gonzalez is a Cuban Poet with several collections of poetry and awards for her work. The Infinith Loop is what we call a confessional book of poetry, filled with emotions. The book confirms that as much as we long for love, and cherish it, pain comes with it, just by its very nature.

Oddly enough, my favorite poem was the first in the collection, Prayer to Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre which is a poignant tribute to soldiers who didn't choose to be soldiers but gave their lives anyway and possibly lay beneath the soil, far from family, far from their questions, far from the pain of loss that the living must contain. It's also an ode to the mothers who bear the sons who become the fodder of war but also an accusation to those mothers for allowing it.

Gonzalez asks:
"What does it mean,
a bouquet of roses after the fact?
What do they offer to the scene?
And you, Mother, what do you see?
And those who go with you?
Do you still have the sea at your feet?
Do they?
Do you know, Mother,
what a young man feels
there, so alone in the meadow?

Much of Gonzalez poetry requires a few readings or even more to grasp the depth of her intention and purpose. The Infinite Loop is not an easy read but it's a passionate, painful and poignant read.… (más)