Inspired by the #TolstoyTogether reading project hosted by writer YiYun in collaboration with New York’s A Public Space, CBC Radio’s Michael Enright canvassed Canadian writers for their book recommendations in a time of crisis. This weekend, at home, I recorded my thoughts on returning to Juan Ramón Jiménez’s The Invisible Reality during the corona virus pandemic. This interview-in-isolation became part of CBC Radio’s most recent episode of The Sunday Edition, “Books for Solace, Perspective, and Connection During Self-Isolation.” In the piece, Enright links my thoughts on Jiménez with the recommendations of fellow writers Ariel Leutheusser, Rohan Maitzen, Robert Macfarlane, and Sharon Bala.
You can read a summary article and listen to the interview HERE on the CBC’s website.
I have also preserved the audio file and a pdf of the article below.
Wishing you well!
Webmaster’s Note: The English translations of Jiménez Al provides here are his extemporaneous translations of the Spanish. Here is a transcription – RSC
BELOVED OLD AGE [MOTHER]
If only I could carry you in my arms
from your bed to nothingness,
the way you carried me, when I was a child,
from the cradle to your breasts.
SEPTEMBER
Let me wrap up the feet
of your letter,
for tonight will be cold
toward the dawn.