Welcome to Ajeno's special webspace. Have you ever come across the work of this wonderful Colombian poet even in the most comprehensive anthology of Latin American poetry or of Spanish poetry in general, either in the original Spanish or in translation? We certainly haven't! Yet here you'll find evidence of the quality and paradoxical mystery and tormented beauty of Ajeno's poetry which should by rights have assured him a place, along with such as César Vallejo, Juan Ramón Jiménez, Pablo Neruda, and F. García Lorca, in the pantheon of modern poetry written in Spanish.

However, Ajeno was very unfortunate in his life and circumstances. Maybe his misfortunes were a catalyst for creativity; though in his case perhaps the otherness of creativity the difference in outlook and perspective from that of most people brought misery with it like some curse which literally did its damnedest to erase his work from existence.

Like some tarnished El Dorado overwhelmed by jungle till rediscovered by explorers, some at least of Ajeno's works are becoming visible again and coming back into existence.

New “Almerían” Poem Discovered.  A Spiritual Experience?

17 September, 2008

Because of the geographical reference to Africa being across the sea, Walking on Water is undoubtedly a poem from the time of Ajeno’s visit to Angela in 2002.  And what a strange poem it is!  The opening is typically Ajenoesque, yet then Ajeno seems to experience a vision of Christ as a mysterious bearded man who miraculously walks across the sea, disappearing from Ajeno’s life (of course!) back to the time of the Roman Empire.

Research into cybercafés near beaches in the Almería area suggests that this poem may have been inspired by a stay, of one night at least, at the seaside resort of Retamar.

Is the reiteration of the word ‘cross’ significant?  Is the Biblical word ‘tarried’ a clue too, as well as an indication that this poem was written in English?  Biblical characters sometimes “tarry” on their way to Jerusalem, for instance.  Does breaking branches suggest breaking bread?  The word “blare” is more often used for trumpets, though admittedly elephants trumpet.  Is ‘branch’ another allusion to the crucifixion?

The enigmatic subtlely of this poem is remarkable.  Whether Ajeno is expressing a spiritual experience in his own unique way, or a sense of utter abandonment, remains unclear.  As regards Ajeno’s thirst, of course he cannot drink the sea, because it’s salty

» Read the poem