December 1, 2025

Dear all:

I heard someone
call for ‘magnetic local’ stories
the more magnetic the better
and I know they meant well
even quoted so-and-so
famous by way of context
but I swear
the minute I heard
‘magnetic local’
​the rant would not rest...

A poetic rant, one of two just published in Panorama: a journal of place (PSST: hey my friend N, yes You, check out your ‘Alas, Alack’ in ‘magnetic locals’)​

The second poem came upon me suddenly, one day in Sevilla:​

Have a read, have a listen and if you like, share your responses by hitting reply or email info@shebanacoelho.com

Ancestral Nature update

Meanwhile over at the new ANCESTRAL NATURE community: a conversation and mini lesson in Afro Peruvian dance. Go ahead and move your hips in a figure eight! Also a story about a photo taken in 1925 in Cusco . Travel on over and if you like, become a storytraveler and subscribe. We're just getting started! Olé

Las hojas hablan

The other day, I watched a woman gather coca leaves in her hands. She looked at them and at me and said: “tienes memorias de seres que no tienen concienca.” I didn’t tell her that I am writing a book called The Last Memory and it has trees and stones in it. I just felt the wildness of her seeing into my memories.

These things come to pass sometimes. sudden poems. sudden memories.

'Las hojas hablan,’ she said, the leaves speak and I heard them rustle and sensed their long journey from fields near the Amazon to the hands of this woman who was seeing into memory.

Sending abrazos and wishes for all the stories we hold in our hands.

take good care, friends, far and near.

Shebana

Shebana Coelho

info@shebanacoelho.com

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