Alfonsina Y El Mar

“Alfonsina Y El Mar” by Antonio Machín is a hauntingly beautiful song that tells the story of the Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni, who tragically ended her life by walking into the sea. The lyrics are rich with imagery and emotion, capturing the essence of her final moments and the deep sorrow that accompanied her decision.

The song begins with the description of Alfonsina's footprints on the soft sand, which are soon washed away by the sea, symbolizing her departure from the world. The path she takes is one of pain and silence, leading her to the deep waters. This imagery evokes a sense of finality and the overwhelming sadness that drove her to seek solace in the ocean's embrace.

As the song progresses, it delves into the anguish and old sorrows that Alfonsina carried with her. The mention of the sea shells' song and the dark depths of the ocean suggests a longing for peace and a connection to nature's eternal rhythms. The sea becomes a metaphor for the poet's final resting place, where she can find the tranquility that eluded her in life.

The chorus poignantly addresses Alfonsina's solitude and her quest for new poems, hinting at her unfulfilled desires and the ancient voice of the sea that calls to her soul. The imagery of sirens, seaweed paths, and phosphorescent seahorses creates a dreamlike, almost mythical atmosphere, as if Alfonsina is being gently guided to her final destination by the ocean's inhabitants.

In the final verses, the song takes on a more personal tone, with a plea to lower the lamp and let Alfonsina sleep in peace. The repeated instruction not to reveal her whereabouts to a caller underscores her desire for a complete and undisturbed departure. The song ends with a reiteration of her journey into the sea, dressed in the waves, as if she has become one with the ocean itself.