Corrientes Y Esmeralda
Adriana Varela
Currents and Emeralds
The tough guys calmed down by your corners
When a slick dude laced up his cross trainers
And the rough crowd gave you a shine
Back in the year... nineteen oh two...
Port corner, your shady scene
Turns into a mix of rum, gin fizz,
English strolls and gambling, baccarat and betting,
Grappa shots and wild girls in a rush.
The Odeon sends the Royal Academy
Bouncing back in tangos from old Pigall,
And the rest is played out by the aching anemia
Waiting for the streetcar to take it to the hood.
From Esmeralda up north, by Retiro,
Frenchies and papusas fall into prayer
To catch a ride, if it’s within reach,
Dodging the lens that the button throws.
One day at your corner, Milonguita, that
Creole beauty that Linnig mentioned,
Carrying a bundle of common clothes
Maybe found the tragic man...
Carlos de la Púa writes you poems
And poor Contursi was your loyal friend...
At your shady corner, any cockatoo
Dreams of the style of Carlos Gardel.
Port corner, this milonguero
Offers you his deepest and warmest affection.
When life is even-steven
I promise you the most heartfelt and streetwise verse
To create the tango that makes you immortal.
