Los Heraldos Negros

The poem 'Los Heraldos Negros' by Cesar Vallejo, which has been adapted into a song, delves into the profound and often painful experiences that life can impose upon us. The opening lines, 'Hay golpes en la vida, tan fuertes ¡Yo no sé!' (There are blows in life, so strong I don't know!), set a tone of existential bewilderment and suffering. Vallejo uses the metaphor of 'golpes' (blows) to describe events that are so impactful and devastating that they leave one questioning the very nature of existence and the possibility of a cruel, indifferent fate or deity.

The imagery of 'Los Heraldos Negros' (The Black Heralds) suggests messengers of death or harbingers of doom, which could be interpreted as the inevitable tragedies that life sends our way. These tragedies carve deep scars, both physically and emotionally, symbolized by the 'zanjas oscuras' (dark trenches) on the fiercest face and strongest back. Vallejo's references to 'los Cristos del alma' (the Christs of the soul) and the 'adorable fe' (adorable faith) that destiny blasphemes, speak to the spiritual and moral crises that arise from these life blows, shaking the foundations of one's beliefs and values.

The poem concludes with a poignant depiction of the human response to such suffering. The 'hombre pobre' (poor man) turns his eyes in a gesture of despair and resignation, as if responding to a call over his shoulder. The accumulated experiences of life pool together like a 'charco de culpa' (puddle of guilt) in his gaze, suggesting a profound sense of regret and the burden of unfulfilled potential or loss. Vallejo's work is a powerful meditation on the human condition, the inexplicable nature of suffering, and the resilience required to face life's harshest moments.