Ese arar en el mar

The song "Ese arar en el mar" by Chabuca Granda, a renowned Peruvian singer-songwriter known for her elegant and deeply expressive compositions, is a poetic reflection on memory, the passage of time, and the bittersweet nature of dreams and aspirations. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and the inevitable fading of memories as one grows older. The phrase 'Cuando ya se me olvide, habré olvidado' suggests that there will come a time when the act of forgetting will be complete, and the speaker will live 'liberada' or liberated from the burdens of the past.

The song continues to explore the theme of dreams and the longing for what could have been. The 'rumia de mis sueños' and 'dulce molienda' metaphorically describe the process of constantly turning over dreams in one's mind, akin to the grinding of grain into flour. This process is both sweet and laborious, filled with hope ('esperanza'). The 'afán de castillos en el aire' refers to the human tendency to build castles in the sky, to dream big and imagine grand futures, even though they may be unattainable. The title itself, 'Ese arar en el mar,' is a metaphor for futile efforts or impossible tasks, much like plowing the sea would be.

Ultimately, the song is a poignant meditation on the youthful spirit of dreaming and the harsh reality that not all dreams come to fruition. It captures the essence of human hope and the pain of its potential unfulfillment. Chabuca Granda's lyrics are a testament to the enduring power of dreams and the beauty of the human capacity to aspire, even in the face of life's ephemeral nature.