La Loca de La Plaza
Horacio Ferrer
The Eternal Wait: Unveiling the Tragic Beauty of 'La Loca de La Plaza'
Horacio Ferrer's song 'La Loca de La Plaza' is a poignant narrative that delves into the life of an elderly woman who has become a fixture in a public square. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of this 'crazy woman' who has been sitting in the plaza long before it was even built. This timeless presence suggests a deep-rooted connection to the place, almost as if she is a part of its very essence.
The song uses rich metaphors to describe the woman's state of mind and her surroundings. The sun warming her hands with 'orange handkerchiefs' and the 'square moon' on her eyelids evoke a surreal, almost dreamlike atmosphere. The statues that stir her heart at night symbolize her unfulfilled love and the nostalgia that haunts her. Her mouth 'full of fog' and the 'dramatic organ' in her throat repeating an old name highlight her sorrow and the lingering memories of a lost love.
The narrative takes a darker turn as it reveals that the woman dances with the memory of someone who never came to find her. This unfulfilled longing has left her with 'abandoned gazebos' in her chest and a 'sad little puddle' that witnesses her burying her own shadow each morning. The gardeners, who have grown fond of her, wear black ties in mourning, hinting that she has passed away while waiting, yet no one has told her. This tragic ending underscores the themes of eternal waiting, unrequited love, and the passage of time, making 'La Loca de La Plaza' a deeply moving and melancholic piece.