In Lak'ech

For the new year:  this excerpt from the dual language poem by Luis Valdez, "Pensamiento Serpentino," based on a Mayan greeting, "In Lak'ech"

In Lak'ech (I Am You or You Are Me)

Tu eres mi otro yo.

You are my other me.

Si te hago dano a ti,

If I do harm to you,

Me hago dano a mi mismo.

I do harm to myself.

Si te amo y respeto,

If I love and respect you,

Me amo y respeto yo.

I love and respect myself.