In the poem, To My Brother Miguel, Cesar Vallejo speaks in memory of his departed brother. The poem’s first person perspective helps to draw the reader into the heart and body of the poet. The poem does not specify whether Vallejo’s brother has died or simply run away and cut communication with the family, the mood of the poem (sad, winsome and dreamy) reminds me of how a person might speak fondly of a dead relative. Either way one can tell that the impact of his departure has produced at least a figurative, even if not literal death.

—

To My Brother Miguel (in memoriam) by Cesar Vallejo

Brother, today I am on the bench by the house

where you leave a bottomless loss.

I remember how we would play

at this time of the day and how Mama

would lovingly chide us, “Now children.”

 

Now I hide

as before, from all these evening

prayers and hope you will not find me

in the living room, the entryway, the corridors.

Later you hide, and I can’t find you.

I remember how we made each other cry

Brother—in that game.

 

Miguel, you disappeared

one night in August, nearly at dawn

but instead of laughing as you hid yourself,

you were anguished

And your twin heart of these extinguished

afternoons is weary of not finding you. Already

shadow falls on the spirit.

 

Listen, brother, don’t be too late

showing up. Or Mama will fret.

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