Alfonsina Y El Mar

On the soft sand that the sea kisses
her little footprint won't return anymore
and a path only of sorrow and silence arrived
up to the deep water
and a path only of pure sorrows arrived
up to the foam

God knows what anguish accompanied you
what old pains silenced your voice
so you could rest cradled in the song
of the sea shells
the song that sings in the dark depths of the sea
the conch shell

You’re leaving, Alfonsina, with your loneliness
what new poems did you go to find?
And an ancient voice of wind and salt
calls to your soul
and it’s calling you
and you’re going, over there like in dreams,
asleep, Alfonsina, dressed in the sea.

Five little mermaids will take you
through paths of seaweed and coral
and glowing seahorses will make
a circle by your side.
And the inhabitants of the water will soon play by your
side.

Lower the lamp for me a little more
let me sleep, nurse, in peace
and if he calls, don’t tell him I’m here,
tell him Alfonsina won’t return.
And if he calls, don’t ever tell him I’m here,
say that I’ve gone.

You’re leaving, Alfonsina, with your loneliness
what new poems did you go to find?
And an ancient voice of wind and salt
calls to your soul
and it’s calling you
and you’re going, over there like in dreams,
asleep, Alfonsina, dressed in the sea.