Partida en Dos by Gabrielle Armstrong.

Partida en Dos is a bilingual book of poems written by English major Gabrielle Armstrong Velázquez. It was published through CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on January 2017. In it, the author tackles with several memories and parts of herself that pull parts of her into contrary directions. The poems tackle themes of modern love, the lack of it, fleeing in the face of new loves that feel like something dreamt about, a life “full of walks and wends, traffic and due dates to comply” (“Common Sleep,” page 4). Inner conflicts come to life where the author copes with loneliness, feeling out of place, finding one’s purpose in life, moving on and shutting out negative comments, thoughts, etc. Other themes in the book are the love of nature, the place she grew up in, her passion for dance, her love for her parents and her love for love. The first poem Gabrielle ever wrote, “A Slave’s Prayer,” is included as well as two previously published in the literary magazine Sábanas: “Acetaminofén” and “Amante Luna.” .

Influenced by poets like Edgar Allan Poe, the author employs the usage of symbols throughout her book to speak of things everyone does and thinks but never outright says.

The author included several drawings from local artists like Kariel Argenis Maisonet and Laiana Lugo from UPRM, Ivan Vega and Patrice Lladó who did the cover art. This book is the first of many more where the author opens herself up. Instead of leaving her heart on a stage while dancing, with Partida en Dos, Gabrielle leaves her heart on the pages riddled with ink.

In the prologue Enrique Martínez says:

“Poemario Partida en Dos es una colección de vivos recuerdos, expresados con palabras cuidadosamente escogidas que exponen un pensamiento y mensajes complejos: palabra y símbolo abren la puerta a la imaginación, la interpretación y la búsqueda de sentido dentro de cada ‘Yo.’”

Reviewer Carlos Colón Ruiz has this to say about the book:

“Entre la tristeza, soledad y el abandono, se parte en dos. Una metamorfosis de crecimientos espirituales para entender que las lágrimas son herramientas claves para nuestro desarrollo humano, nuestra homeostasis ante el mundo. En esa conexión, se van por la corriente oraciones para Dios, pensamientos y acciones que van escribiendo una “Magia de Estrellas.” Yo siempre, he comentado que somos lo que la sociedad quiere que seamos y somos lo que somos cuando estamos solos… una magia que compartimos… Concluyo estando de acuerdo con la poeta Gabrielle Armstrong. Les exhorto que suban a bordo, que ante sus ojos, ante lo similar que puede ser la vida de muchos individuos y lo pesado que puede ser bailar bajo el sol; el poemario les dará una palmada en la espalda diciendo: “Yo también” y les prometo que luego de leerlo… Mejores Cosas Vendrán.”

The book is available on: