Hojarasca

Ignacio Corsini's song 'Hojarasca' paints a poignant picture of an elderly woman who has been worn down by the hardships of life. The lyrics describe her as a 'pobre viejecita' (poor old lady) who is dragging her tattered remnants through the streets, a metaphor for the emotional and physical toll that life has taken on her. Once, she was young and vibrant, with 'veinte abriles' (twenty Aprils), but now she is a shadow of her former self, a 'jirón fatal' (fatal shred). The imagery of her trembling and relying on a 'mísero bastón' (miserable cane) underscores her frailty and the relentless passage of time.

The song delves into the theme of lost youth and the inevitable decline that follows. Corsini laments the fleeting nature of 'divina juventud' (divine youth) and the sorrow it leaves behind. The reference to 'champagneada' (champagne nights) suggests a past filled with moments of joy and celebration, now replaced by nights of sobbing and solitude. The woman is depicted as 'hojarasca' (dead leaves), a powerful metaphor for how life has scattered her dreams and aspirations, leaving her to navigate a 'frío veredón' (cold sidewalk) alone.

In the final verses, the song portrays the woman as being on the brink of despair, 'casi hundida' (almost sunk) in the 'barcaza de la vida' (barge of life). She is likened to a 'madre de nadie' (mother of no one), emphasizing her isolation and lack of familial support. The 'hojas al viento' (leaves in the wind) imagery reinforces the idea of her being at the mercy of life's uncontrollable forces. Corsini's 'Hojarasca' is a haunting reflection on the passage of time, the loss of youth, and the loneliness that can accompany old age.