Alfonsina Storni (1892-1938) was a celebrated Argentine poet, journalist, and feminist, recognized as one of the most significant female poets of 20th-century Latin America. Her powerful, dissenting voice addressed complex themes of gender, love, and social justice, inspiring diverse audiences worldwide.
I began writing this piece in early 2022, and it has become increasingly clear that our world needs the peace Storni evokes in her poetry. During my own mental health crisis, I found solace in her words, feeling as though she understood my emotions and had already expressed them beautifully so many years earlier.
In her poem, Storni suggests that true peace is found in nature; only by immersing ourselves in the wild perfume of the trees can we achieve it. Importantly, we must avoid waking the "birds"—the distractions and destabilizing forces in our lives that disrupt our sense of harmony.
Recording Notes
Michigan State Honors Competition Winner
BRACE New Music Choir Call for Scores Winner
Premiered in Baton Rouge, LA by BRACE New Music Choir