Interview by Michelle Simpson Alemán

Talking about the things what “cannot be expressed through science or religion”. 

Interview with the Panamanian contemporary poet, Edilberto Gonzalez-Trejos

At first sight, he appears to us smiling, enthusiastic, genuine...We imagine that it is part of the 'must be' of poets. His humble and sincere way to communicate and interact with the 'great family of the letters' based in the Central American isthmus, has earned him the arduous responsibility of being a sort of 'axis' that held together the literary and artistic movement in Panama.

'Baptized' by those who appreciate and admire him with the affectionate nickname of 'Songo', the contemporary artist, Edilberto Gonzalez-Trejos, is the kind of man who prefers to say the “(...) great truths (…)” that reach the soul; those which cannot be “(...) described in a novel or rationalized by the means of an essay (...)” through poetry.

We met the author of the collection of poems entitled 'dioses de bolsillo' (pocket gods), during the recent “Ars Amandi” International PoetryFestival Panama 2011, and concerning to the presentation of his new book, we asked him to share with us his “(...) likes and dislikes (...)”.

Michelle Simpson Aleman: When and how was born Edilberto Gonzalez Trejos, 'the poet'?

Edilberto Gonzalez Trejos:  It has been said that poetry picks you, you don´t pick it. Thus, being poetry rather a sensitivity towards life, a way of seeing things and reacting to them -“there are no other worlds yet there are other eyes”- this concern has always been within my soul. I wrote my first poems in a conscious way when I was 12 years old. The rest has been a constant evolution.

M.S.A.: How would you describe your contribution (which you have made ​​or wish to do) to contemporary Latin American poetry in general, and Panamanian in particular?

E.G.T.: I just long to add my vision, my poetic voice, to the already existing choir of poetic voices, of which we are all legatees.

M.S.A.: Does your poetry have any political / ideological contents?

E.G.T.: Nothing lacks politics nor ideology. However, within my search I avoid the pamphlet as well as the easy slogans. Let the readers find, according to their own prism, whatever catches their attention.

M.S.A.: As it was for the American poet Ezra Pound, is your poetic creation a reflection of the way that you question yourself about the reality around you?

E.G.T.: And I add, it is about observation, meditation, and sometimes -once in a while-, answer to the reality around and within me.

M.S.A.: Tell me about any poet (s) you admire and why?

E.G.T.: Because of their ethics and discourse, T.S. Eliot, Wallace Stevens, William Carlos Williams, great truth tellers. Those who are able to express what cannot be expressed by the means science or religion, through poetry. Those who are able to put into words what cannot be described in a novel or rationalized in a essay with their verses, for example, Edgar Bailey, Octavio Paz, Enrique Lihn, just to name a few.

M.S.A.: What do you think of international poetry festivals? Tell us about your experience in the “Ars Amandi” International Poetry Festival 2011, held in Panama City.

E.G.T.: A poetry festival is a 'flame' that deserves to be 'stoked' so the 'fire' keeps alive. I yearn for the day when the whole country will be 'set ablaze' in the 'flame of Poetry, Art and Culture', and never put out that 'fire'. It has been two consecutive years collaborating in a brotherly way as a member of the organizing committee, and we have obtained an enriching experience.

M.S.A.: You are the president of a literary foundation (FIAT LUX), what is the objective of this kind of cultural organizations?

E.G.T.: In my particular case, FIAT LUX is a motto of life (let there be light), very Franciscan, that means to be the light where there is darkness, to give wherever there are needs. With this organization we are developing two specific tasks: first, the San Francisco de la Montaña Festival, in the province of Veraguas, bringing education through arts and culture in a region of extreme poverty of Panama (this province is located in the centre-west of the country); at the same time we celebrate a Festival of Arts as well as a meeting between the 'telluric' and 'urban'. Afterwards, (but no for it less important), to promote Panamanian literature in various book fairs, so far we have had two successful participations in the Buenos Aires International Book Fair (Argentina).

M.S.A.: Concerning of your new book: 'dioses de bolsillo' (pocket gods), how do you think will be welcomed by lovers of poetry?

EGT: If you love poetry, you will love  'dioses de bolsillo' (pocket gods).

M.S.A.: Talking about poetry it is almost impossible to finalize, but, what would be your last phrase on the subject you are most passionate about?

E.G.T.: In the beginning there was the Word, and in the end, its echo in our ears.

On Thursday October 27^th, at 7:00 p.m., those attending the Multipurpose Room of the National Library Ernesto J. Castillero, witnessed the 'mystical' ceremony through which 'Songo' (the poet) will try to fill pockets and hearts with something else than poetry.