Duende or tener duende (“to have duende”) is a Spanish term for a heightened state of emotion, expression and authenticity, often connected with flamenco. The Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca wrote in his essay “Teoria y Juego del Duende” (“Play and Theory of the Duende”) that duende “is a power and not a behavior … a struggle and not a concept.” Nowadays the term appears in a broader range of contexts to refer to one’s unspoken charm or allure.
My Duende
The tip of my tongue,
ice, cool, light
immense joy with each new beginning
yearning for more to hit the tip of my tongue
to refresh, rebirth, rejuvenate
Now falling faster like a veil or a blanket
providing warmth yet a keeper of secrets of the unknown
enveloped, protected, I stick out
my tongue for longer tasting
teasing, transcending, taunting
some small, others large, a few round and look there, even a star shaped crystalized one!
I am reminded of the metal logo ‘Each One is Unique’ proudly displayed at the
International School of Helsinki
how lucky that these are not affected by bright city lights and boisterous sounds so that
they disappear
why do those crystalized wonders; that capture and replenish me suddenly dissolve on
the tip of my tongue?
as swiftly as the next
a gentle moment of pure bliss
a white billowy snowflake
my snowflake, ice, cool, and light
My Duende
