Loli Molina Muñoz – Author
Describe the kind of art you make.
I write poetry and fiction. I have just finished my first poetry chapbook manuscript in English, and I also have a feminist dystopia novella in Spanish, both of them searching for a warming publishing house.
Describe the role your cultural identity has in your work.
Being born and raised in Málaga, Spain, I grew up immersed in both Spanish and English language thanks to literature, music, and pop culture, which deeply influenced my work. However, I have also lived in Coventry (UK), Wisconsin, and finally moved to South Carolina in 2013. For this reason, my work explores themes of identity, feminism, migration, and the intersections between cultures.
[ALMA] SPANISH
Querida madre:
Estos días pienso mucho en usted.
Ayer me acordé de su guiso de
carne y quise hacer uno yo.
No me supo igual.
Me faltaba el sabor añadido de sus
manos y el olor de su delantal.
Los niños dijeron que estaba muy
bueno. Yo les di las gracias y sonreí.
Dos lágrimas que se escaparon
disimulando para no ser vistas.
Tampoco vieron las dos cartas del
banco avisando del desahucio.
Les dije que vamos a pasar unos
días en casa de Alejandra.
Les hizo ilusión pasar un tiempo
con sus primos y eso me alivió.
Luego recordé aquella vez que
usted me dijo que eligiera mi
muñeca favorita.
Crucé el desierto de la mano de
Alejandra con la muñeca pegada
a mi pecho como un amuleto.
Aún conservo mi muñeca.
Aún tengo a Alejandra.
Voy a estar bien.
No se preocupe.
[ALMA] ENGLISH
Dear mother,
These days I think about you all the time.
Yesterday I remembered your beef
stew and I made one myself.
It did not taste the same.
It did not have that extra flavor from
your hands or the smell of your apron.
The kids said that they liked it.
I thanked them and smiled.
Two tears escaped trying not
to be seen by them.
They did not see the two eviction
letters from the bank either.
I told them that we are going to stay
some days at Alejandra’s.
They were happy about spending
time with their cousins and that soothed me.
Later I remembered that time
you told me to choose my favorite doll.
I crossed the desert holding Alejandra’s
hand and the doll stuck
to my chest like an amulet.
I still keep my doll.
I still have Alejandra.
I’ll be fine.
Don’t worry.