Duende

There’s a word from Lorca—
duende—
pretty trendy now in the poetry communities—

meaning dire, deep,
hyper-passionate, black,
reeking of doom and destruction.

Somehow, it’s that deep core
of quivering emotional reality
we try to plumb as poets. When I

look at the source, though,
I find Lorca mainly associates duende
with great flamenco singers and guitar players—

it's the deep intention in performance
that makes it impossible
not to listen.