El Vino
Alberto Cortez
The Wine
Yes, sir, wine can bring out
Things that man keeps silent
That should come out
When man drinks water
He goes searching, deep inside
For the silences of the soul
And gives them voices
And turns them into words
Sometimes it brings out a sorrow
That being sorrow, is bitter
On its stage of fire
It makes it dance barefoot
It dances and dancing it grows
Until the wine runs out
And then, the sorrow returns
To be the silence of the soul
Wine can bring out
Things that man keeps silent
Things that burn inside
Things that rot the soul
Of those who lower their eyes
Of those who hide their face
Wine, then, releases
The enclosed courage
And disguises them as macho
As if by magic
And then, they are bullies
Until the wine runs out
For from the bully to the coward
Only half, the hangover
Wine can bring out
Things that man keeps silent
It changes the prism of things
When they need it most
For those who carry their guilt
Like a cross on their back
The whore thinks herself pure
As when she was a girl
And the cuckold haggles
The measure of his horns
And everything has colors
Of simulated chastity
For they always end up with wine
Both in the same bed
Wine can bring out
Things that man keeps silent
But how beautiful is wine!
The one that is drunk at home
From the one who is clean inside
And has the soul shining
Whose hand never trembles
When playing a guitar
Who never lacks a friend
Or nights to spend
Who when he has a sin
It always shows on his face
Who drinks wine for wine
And drinks water, for water
