Décimas Del Folklore Venezolano
Isabel Parra
Tenths of Venezuelan Folklore
The shell says in the sea:
I maintain a richness,
a garment of beauty
for a natural shine.
I'm worth more than coral,
than diamond, than ruby,
I won't exchange myself for you,
because I'm valuable everywhere,
even in foreign regions
they appreciate me too.
They say there was or wasn't anything,
I'm going to the yopo at dawn,
at dawn I'm going to the yopo
because the hangover drives me crazy.
You, you, you sent her to put it,
if you put it you pay, and if you don't put it also.
The goat's leg complains
and also the snail,
for us there is no pain,
that's what the clam says.
Also the potato the queen tells
her past story,
what a miserable life
to throw us into the world
in these deep seas
where we are worth nothing.
My three beloved brothers
were taken by the current,
a child sadly says,
what a painful case!
We all marched together
to bathe without fear,
the river came with its fury,
took them away very quickly,
when they disappeared,
how great would be my pain.
