The monkey reminds me that life is a game full of joy,
The wildcat reminds me that walking helps my thoughts grow,
The armadillo reminds me that when I say No, my No must be respected,
The Jaguar reminds me that sweetness is not weakness, it is strength and intelligence,
The Bird reminds me that the limits are shown to me in the air.
The Turtle reminds me that I have a community that walks with me.
The bee reminds me that companionship is sacred,
The fish reminds me that life is a bottomless mystery,
The hummingbird reminds me that my sister is happy and content,
The spider came to show me the knot of thought I now carry,
The Snake reminds me that the earth holds me,
The owl reminds me of Life-Death-Life.
The dog reminds me that being a leader is my path.
13 messages from my elder sisters stand in solidarity
with me, they come to teach me life, the path
to dissolve myself into the earth alongside them.
Today with candles and flowers I come to thank them, in this sunset, for life.

Nakbé Gómez is a writer and poet. He was born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala in the year 1990. He has participated in several poetic cycles, poetry readings and artistic festivals, around various communities in Guatemala and Mexico. He published his first book entitled “Ri Tzij aj Xojoj”, in July 2017, with the Asociación Pequeña Ostuncalco Editorial.