Lagoa
Apparicio Silva Rillo
The Celestial Mirror: A Journey Through 'Lagoa'
Apparicio Silva Rillo's song 'Lagoa' is a poetic and mystical exploration of nature, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of the heavens and the earth. The lyrics begin with a celestial request: the stars ask for a mirror from Our Lord, who, puzzled by the request, consults the Virgin Mary. In a beautiful act of creation, Mary cuts a piece of the sky to form the lagoon, leaving a hole in the sky that she patches with a piece of her mantle, creating the moon. This imagery sets the tone for the song, blending divine intervention with natural beauty.
The lagoon, described as a 'sesmaria de águas claras,' becomes a central symbol in the song. It is depicted as a serene and reflective body of water where stars come to adjust their 'véu de lantejoulas' during the night. This metaphorical language elevates the lagoon to a sacred space, a 'salão das estrelas' where the celestial and terrestrial worlds meet. The lagoon is not just a physical location but a spiritual one, where the divine and natural coexist harmoniously.
Rillo's vivid descriptions of the lagoon's ecosystem further enrich the song. The lagoon is teeming with life, from the 'martim-pescador' to the 'lontras e das ariranhas,' and even the 'jacarés' that lurk in its waters. The imagery of the lagoon as a 'gamela de barro' filled with water, reeds, and flowers like 'aguapés' paints a picture of a vibrant, living entity. The song captures the essence of the lagoon as a 'pedaço de céu,' a piece of heaven on earth, where the beauty of nature and the divine presence are intertwined.
'Lagoa' is a celebration of nature's beauty and its spiritual significance. It invites listeners to see the natural world as a reflection of the divine, a place where the mundane and the celestial are inextricably linked. The song's rich imagery and metaphors create a tapestry of interconnectedness, urging us to appreciate the sacredness of the natural world around us.