Guayabo Negro

Folclor's song 'Guayabo Negro' is a poignant exploration of sorrow, longing, and the inevitability of parting. The repeated plea to the 'Guayabo negro'—a black guava tree—not to say goodbye underscores the deep sadness associated with farewells. The phrase 'nunca me digas adiós' (never say goodbye) is a powerful expression of the desire to avoid the pain of separation, highlighting the emotional weight that goodbyes carry. This sentiment is further emphasized by the line 'es una palabra triste' (it is a sad word), which reinforces the melancholic tone of the song.

The imagery in the song is rich and evocative, drawing on natural elements to convey the passage of time and the fragility of life. The comparison of life to palm trees swaying in the breeze and ears of corn drying in the sun suggests a natural, inevitable decline. The metaphor of a 'triste mariposa' (sad butterfly) flitting from flower to flower captures a sense of aimlessness and fleeting beauty, symbolizing a life that is transient and filled with sorrow.

The song also touches on themes of memory and loss. The mention of swallows with their 'últimas palabras' (last words) that are trapped in the singer's chest evokes a sense of unspoken emotions and unfinished business. The inability of these swallows to sing or fly represents a stifling of expression and freedom, mirroring the singer's own feelings of being trapped by grief. The final verses, where the 'Guayabo negro' is asked to inquire of the savannah if it has ever seen the singer pass by, suggest a longing for recognition and a place in the world, even as the singer feels cursed and bound to a place of sorrow.