Sete Desejos

Alceu Valença's 'Sete Desejos' is a poetic exploration of rebirth, memory, and the inexorable passage of time. The song opens with the imagery of rising from the ashes, suggesting a theme of renewal and starting anew. This is reinforced by the recurring line 'Recomeçando das cinzas,' which translates to 'Starting again from the ashes.' The narrator crafts verses that are clear and vivid, projecting seven desires into the smoke of a cigarette, a metaphor for fleeting thoughts and ephemeral wishes.

The lyrics are rich with nostalgic imagery, such as the 'blusa branca de renda' (white lace blouse) and the 'flamboyant vermelho' (red flamboyant tree), which evoke memories of a past love. The mention of the 'mala azul arrumada' (packed blue suitcase) hints at a journey or a departure, adding a layer of melancholy to the song. The narrator is piecing together a landscape from fragments of the past, suggesting a longing to reconstruct or relive those moments.

As the song progresses, the focus shifts to the present and future, with the narrator contemplating the 'réstia daquela luz amarela' (streak of that yellow light) that once illuminated his lover's eyes. This light symbolizes hope and the possibility of rekindling a lost connection. The final verses reflect on the cyclical nature of life, acknowledging that the road of life has both departures and returns, and that destiny is an unstoppable force, much like a train that transports us through different phases of existence. Valença's lyrical mastery and evocative imagery make 'Sete Desejos' a profound meditation on love, loss, and the enduring human spirit.