Translations - Ecuadorian Literature

The River’s Voice by Wenceslao Pareja

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 14, 2024, from the original work “La voz del río” by Wenceslao Pareja (1880-1947) of Guayaquil, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “The River’s Voice.”

The Soul of the Mountains by Miguel E. Neira

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 14, 2024, from the original work “El Alma de las Montañas” (1907) by Miguel E. Neira of Guayaquil, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “The Soul of the Mountains.”

Chant of Peace by Gastón Hidalgo Ortega

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 10, 2024, from the original work “Cantoral de Paz” by Gastón Hidalgo Ortega (1929-1973) of Guayaquil, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “Chant of Peace.”

Testimonies by Eugenio Moreno Heredia

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 10, 2024, from the original work “Testimonios” by Eugenio Moreno Heredia (1926—1997) of Cuenca, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “Testimonies.”

Sick Motherland by Fanny Caicedo

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 10, 2024, from the original work “Patria Enferma” by Fanny Caicedo (1932–2001) of Yaguachi, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “Sick Motherland.”

The Moon and the Boy by Diógenes Cuero Caicedo

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 10, 2024, from the original work “La Luna y el Niño” by Diógenes Cuero Caicedo (1948–2019) of Esmeraldas, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “The Moon and the Boy.”

Kiss Me by Mary Corylé

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 9, 2024, from the original work “Bésame” (1925) by Mary Corylé (1894-1976) of Cuenca, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “Kiss Me.”

Dead Minute by Gerardo Chiriboga

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 5, 2024, from the original work “Minuto muerto” by Gerardo Chiriboga (1895-1966) of Riobamba, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “Dead Minute.”

Spiritual Colloquy by Jorge Ismael Gandú

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 5, 2024, from the original work “Coloquio Espiritual” by Jorge Ismael Gandú (1904-Unknown) of Guayaquil, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “Spiritual Colloquy.”

Dance of the Leaves by Gerardo Chiriboga

Translated into English by Richard Gabela on April 5, 2024, from the original work “Danza de las Hojas” by Gerardo Chiriboga (1895-1966) of Riobamba, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “Dance of the Leaves.”

Little Girl from My Neighborhood by Inés Márquez Moreno

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 9, 2024, from the original work “Muchachita de mi Barrio” by Inés Márquez Moreno (1914–2017) of Cuenca, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “Little Girl from My Neighborhood.”

Dry Leaves by Honorato Vázquez Ochoa

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 2, 2024, from the original work “Hojas secas” by Honorato Vázquez Ochoa (1855-1933) of Cuenca, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “Dry Leaves.”

Hymn of El Oro Province by Temístocles José Araúz Rojas

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 20, 2023, from the original work “Himno de El Oro” by Temístocles José Araúz Rojas (1871-Unknown) of Machala, Ecuador.

Identity for Oblivion by Teodoro Vanegas Andrade

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 18, 2023, from the original work “La identidad para el olvido” by Teodoro Vanegas Andrade (1926-2002) of Cuenca, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “Identity for Oblivion.”

Medardo Ángel Silva

Medardo Ángel Silva Rodas (Guayaquil, June 8, 1898 – Guayaquil, June 10, 1919) was an Ecuadorian poet, writer, and journalist, known as one of the most significant members of the Generación Decapitada (Decapitated Generation), a group of modernist poets in early 20th-century Ecuador. His work, heavily influenced by French symbolism and the modernist movement led by Rubén Darío, explored themes of love, melancholy, and death. Silva published his poetry in his collection El árbol del bien y del mal (1918) and gained national recognition with his poem “El alma en los labios,” later made famous as a song by Julio Jaramillo. His tragic death at 21, widely believed to be a suicide, remains shrouded in mystery, further enshrining his place in Ecuadorian literary history.