Este Es Mi Pueblo

Today I returned to my town
after a very long absence
and found that neither the town is the same
nor am I the same

the one who yesterday with rural eyes
sang his joy
in those nights filled
with local pride.

There is sadness in the deserted streets
and the empty park.
There is sadness in the docks without ships
and on the coast.

There is sadness in the afternoons
that die sick of boredom.
There is sadness in the people of the town,
mortal sadness.

But even with its bitter sadness
without sun and moon
and with all the present anguish
of a land without peace,

this town is my town,
the same one,
the one of a lifetime,
the one that offers its life and its blood
for Freedom.