Mi Amigo Luis

My friend Luis reminds me that as a kid
I was the same little devil
Arrogant, conceited, and capricious
A loner
With a look of grandeur in my eyes
And not a penny in my pockets

He reminds me that I was never as good
As my mother says
And that I have gunpowder in my veins
Just like my father

My friend Luis, who remembers much more than I do
Tells me that in the summer afternoons
I was always the loser in battles
And my enemy, always the victor

My friend Luis, who remembers much more than I do
Chugging a beer
Tells me about the teacher whose motto was
That the pen always comes with blood
My friend Luis is all heart

My friend Luis reminds me that one afternoon
While playing
I threw the stone and hid my hand
And in his head
A thousand colorful stars flew
And the mark of a coward was engraved

And I, who thought I was an angel
Ascending to the altars
Sought refuge in a safe place
My mother's skirts

My friend Luis, who remembers much more than I do
Teaches me a lesson without even trying
That you earn the good and the bad
That being loyal to a friend comes first

My friend Luis, who now dyes his gray hair
Smiles like a child as he speaks
Remembering a past that never happened
And the night turns into dawn

My friend Luis is all heart