This poem was made with the purpose of conveying Sor Juana`s conflicts between her religious`s devotion and her ceaseless eagerness for knowledge in a very creative manner.
Where Faith and Reason Meet
By Maria Luiza Costa
I wake up holding my cross and I sleep holding my pen,
If they are a perfect combination of who I am,
Why should I let go of one of them?
I wake up to the glory of my sacred morning in convent,
I sleep late at night trying to learn and discern more content,
If it is what makes me truly fulfilled,I shouldn't have to ask for consent.
I have such a devotion and passion for knowledge I will never be able to hide,
since I know that in lack of people, I will always have my books by my side!
Life is not a poem, not everything needs a perfect rhyme,
So should I get arrested for such a harmless and victimless "crime"?
I pray to my God and know that he will understand,
Since distinctly from every single one of the men,
He never left me alone and never revoked me his hand.
I look to all of the preposterous men and know they see us from so high,
Since one of them even wrote a letter telling me to simply abandon knowledge,good-bye!
I knew I waited too long to answer, something that once made me sob and cry,
But I knew there were too many people to convince, and many of them turning a blind eye.
I will never be able to accept, the idea that writing is a crime
Since a true pecaminous sin is the ambition many have for a simple dime.
I hear people judging my perception towards literature all the time,
I wonder what is wrong in writting, I just wish I was heard sometime.
I wake up holding my cross and I sleep holding my pen,
If they are a perfect combination of who I am,
Then why, My Dear God, should I let go of one of them?