De no olvidar

Alfredo Zitarrosa's 'De no olvidar' is a poignant milonga that delves deep into the themes of memory, love, and the pain of loss. The song's title, which translates to 'Not to Forget,' sets the tone for a lyrical journey through the lingering presence of a past love. Zitarrosa's evocative lyrics paint a picture of a love that remains etched in the soul, despite the passage of time. The repetition of phrases like 'me está diciendo, que no hay olvido' (it's telling me, there is no forgetting) underscores the inescapable nature of these memories.

The song's structure, with its recurring motifs of 'piel y latido' (skin and heartbeat) and 'sombra encendida' (lit shadow), creates a vivid contrast between the physical and the ephemeral. These metaphors highlight the duality of love as both a tangible and intangible force. The imagery of 'puñales' (daggers) piercing the soul conveys the acute pain of remembering, while the line 'madero muerto, te crucifico' (dead wood, I crucify you) suggests a desire to put an end to this suffering, yet an inability to do so.

Zitarrosa's choice to include and exclude certain stanzas in different versions of the song adds layers to its interpretation. The omitted stanza about 'fingen mis manos que te han tocado' (my hands pretend they have touched you) speaks to the illusion of closeness and the reality of separation. This nuanced approach to songwriting reflects Zitarrosa's mastery in capturing the complexities of human emotions. 'De no olvidar' is not just a song about love lost; it is a meditation on the enduring impact of love and the struggle to reconcile with its memory.