El Malevo

I never locked the door of my ranch
Not even while sleeping
Why would I?
If outside
No matter how bad the weather was
It was guarded by fangs
The courage of my dog
Cimarrón, half wild
I found him lost in the hills
Panting from exhaustion
Mean as a pile of rocks
I had to bring him back tied up
To treat his wounds
And there he stayed, loyal
A companion through lazy hours
Trotting under the stirrup
Not even counting the miles
And wherever the saddle loosened
He’d lay down to guard my stuff
That’s for sure, very delicate
I wouldn’t dare to touch him
He’d get this wild look in his eyes
And his hair would stand on end
He had truly earned
His nickname: The Malevo

What a capable animal
For work in the open field
You had to see him in action
Working in a roundup
If he were a Christian
He’d be a damn doctor, that dog

Me, herding cattle into the corral?
I’d whistle between my fingers
And with that whistle
He’d bring them in, leaning into the wind
And he was like a thorn
Stuck to the thunder’s hooves

Once while rounding up a herd
With a lot of water in the Río Negro
I fell, caught in a tight spot
Between a whirlpool of horns
And I lost my senses
To darkness and silence
When I opened my eyes again
A cloud crossed the sky
Moans and licks
Came from far away
Suddenly I understood
I half-sat on the ground
To thank him
Brother, I owe you one
I wouldn’t even find my blessed bread
If you didn’t pull me out, Malevo
And an immense gratitude
Stuck in my throat

Well, that thing happened
I went in for the wedding
I built the oven, the kitchen
My ranch stretched out a roof
And in its little corner
I dried the meat and the stew
Two years later
My kid was crawling on a blanket
Or wandering around the yard
Tied to the dog’s cross
Because he, took him out
The tickles from Malevo
He must’ve thought he was a pup
From his rowdy litter
He put up with his antics
He’d play along with his games
And when he looked like he’d fall
He’d lay down under him

It all happened so suddenly
It almost feels like a story
It was after noon
Around the end of January
I had laid down on the bed
To catch a nap
The missus was busy
Working with the lamb
And suddenly that scream
Like terror, Rosendo
And I bolted to the yard
Waving a stick
She was against the oven
Stammering in silence
She had the little one raised
Shaking against her chest
And creeping forward
Like a beast, my dog
Showing teeth like daggers
His hair was standing up
So much it was hard to recognize him
And in the blaze of his eyes
The memories had burned away
In a leap, I stood in front of him
I shouted, Malevo
I saw him drool
He’s rabid, Rosendo
Don’t come near me, brother
Don’t come near me, brother
Step back, step back
Get away, dog

Suddenly he jumped at me
I leaned my body to the side
And felt his paw
Hit against my chest
And he fell, almost silently
Like a rag on the ground
When I looked at him
His eyes had softened
Like he was thanking me
His breath was shortening
He crawled, licked my feet
And tears welled up in my eyes
I had no choice
Brother, you were sick
It was for the pup, you know?
If not, I wouldn’t have done it
He wagged his tail once, twice
And then he was gone

That’s why since then
I don’t like having dogs
And when I ride a horse
I feel like I sense it
Still under the stirrup
Trotting on through time