Cadena de Amor: New and Selected Poems in English, Filipino, and Spanish

Here are poems wrought from three languages—intimations from the heart’s “twin caves,” honest and without illusion as the words speak true of sadness and elation through the hum and drum of living. – Gémino H. Abad, poet, literary critic, professor Marra PL. Lanot’s poetry combines lighthearted wit, compassion, and wisdom. This is what poets with a genuine respect for words and worlds do. Writing in three different languages—English, Tagalog, and Spanish—she tackles even the littlest of things like when she celebrates “Buko Pie,” her cat, or declares in her own unique way that she is a woman not of one country but of the world. In poignant images, she narrates how life can be under martial law in “Batas Militar.” There are no absolute answers, but Cadena de Amor, her latest poetry collection, weaves memories of her lives and loves and speaks to our hearts, minds, and spirit. Read, reflect, and be delighted. – Lilia Quindoza Santiago, fellow feminist traveler, writer, and teacher I’ve always been a fan of Marra and this book will show you why. It is a rare delight to experience to be touched by words in three languages. Maraming salamat, Marra. – Ramón C. Sunico, teacher, poet, storywriter for children in English and Filipino, editor, translator, book designer, book project manager, father, slacker Isa si Marra PL. Lanot na naghawan ng landas para sa marami pang babae na tulad ko na naghangad sumunod sa kanyang mga yapak. Sa koleksiyon na ito na nasa tatlong wika, makata siyang nakikisangkot sa mga usapang pagpaslang at kapayapaan, habang nangungusap bilang babae, habang may komentaryo sa bagong panahon ng Facebook at social media, habang nagmamasid sa paligid, habang nagmamahal. Sa panulat ni Marra, ang karaniwan nang talinghaga ng bulaklak ay talinghagang hindi naka-freeze frame (habambuhay na maganda at may bango, tulad ng paggamit ng mga lalaking makata kapag nagpapahayag ng pagsinta). Sa halip, ito’y buhay at dinamikong imahen, at sa wakas, angkin ng minsan ay pinag-alayan ng talinghagang ito. – Joi Barrios-Leblanc, poet, actor, teacher at University of California, Berkeley