"SOMETHING THERE IS...""...that doesn't love a wall, " wrote Robert Frost, and as a group of poets dedicated to affirming the multiple powers of language, the Powow River Poets have entered into a collaborative relationship with a handful of dynamic and highly talented Spanish-language poets, in order to test the wall and find breaches in it.

In this case, the wall is made of differences in language and ethnic background. The "something" that both groups believe "wants it down" consists of their common devotion to the art of poetry, including not only the joy of communication with others, but also the sheer delight in sound-in verbal music-that is the inexhaustible spring of poetry.

So far, so good. The English-speaking Powows and the
Spanish-speaking poets of Tertulia Pedro Mir have presented several poetry readings together, in Newburyport and in Lawrence, featuring work in both languages, often with translations. In both venues, audience response has been warmly enthusiastic; personal exchanges have fostered friendships and a new awareness of common values and experiences, One unforeseen result has been an increased interest In translation In both directions, including translations of each other's poems, and of Robert Frost, the great Lawrence poet.

The following poems are by the members of both groups who have participated in joint bilingual readings. More such readings are being planned for the remainder of this year.

Rhina P. Espaillat

Our appreciation to Rhina P. Espaillat for editing this Anthology of Poetry

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