2 de Abril (Poema)

After a tough Sunday that flew away with the wind
I arrive at school on Monday, tired and very sleepy
How the days pass by that I hardly feel them anymore
The week fades away, another one without any patches

The bell rings and more than four run a race against time
Because arriving late is a sign of lack of effort
And it will be a full absence for those who stayed sleeping

Studying is necessary even to be a street sweeper
And you have to face it from the start, because if not
It can get ugly

They line up, and the flag blends with the sky
And they sing to it as it's native, the whole student body
A chant of patriotism cradled within the chest
Then, deep silence as a sign of respect
Greetings to the teachers and straight inside

The teacher raises his voice and gets serious at the same time
Today is Monday, April 3rd, they had a task, have you done it?
Let's see, Marcelo Gutiérrez, come to the front and read it
The boy stands up and starts reading with fear

April 2nd in my homeland turns into a mysterious red
And the calendar gets stained because it's a very special day
With the blood of those men who defended with honor
The land of those islands, which they say is ours
I ask Almighty God to watch over those who died
And I shout: Long live the homeland!
And I shout: Long live the homeland!, as a tribute to them

The teacher congratulates, the boy sits content
And one by one, the class reads their tribute
And the teacher evaluates, as if measuring talent

Let's see, Gustavo Maciel, show us what you've done
The boy remains silent, son of dairy farmer parents
And responds to the insistence: I didn't do anything, teacher

There's a tomb-like silence
But, Maciel, what have you done to me?
If you didn't do the homework, it's a sign of disrespect
I'm new in this school and I'll protect my place
And I won't allow anyone to take me for a fool

Maciel starts crying, with his face between his fingers
The bell rings and the others go out to play at recess
A failing grade hurts even the teacher
Who, seeing him cry, approaches to offer comfort

Why didn't you do the homework?
Why didn't you do the homework?, answer me
Answer me, be honest

And the boy responds, between sobs and lament
There on the island, sir
There on the island, sir, I have a dead brother
He went to defend the homeland and I still wait for him

The surprised teacher looked at him in disbelief
And could only say: Why didn't you tell me?
He walked over to the boy, gave him a hug and a kiss
Turned back to the desk, erased the failing grade he had given
And as he left, you could hear: Why didn't you tell me?

The flag, at half-mast, eternally in mourning
Seeks some explanation for its children who haven't returned
I know well that it's not fair for one to have their land stolen
But it's also not fair to get killed for it
Let's never forget that the end doesn't justify the means
Let these simple verses go to the kids who died
Innocent creatures, like Maciel from my town

April 2nd in my homeland turns into a mysterious red
And the calendar gets stained because it's a very special day
With the blood of those men who defended with honor
The land of those islands, which they say is ours
I ask Almighty God to watch over those who died
And I shout: Long live the homeland!, as a tribute to them