Desde El Umbral

Poema Arcanus, a Chilean doom metal band known for their melancholic and introspective lyrics, delivers a poignant exploration of sorrow and memory in their song "Desde El Umbral." The title, which translates to "From the Threshold," sets the stage for a narrative that stands on the brink of light and darkness, life and death, love and loss.

The song opens with a vivid metaphor, describing a Venus of ivory that cracks under the cruel chisels of life. This imagery suggests the fragility of beauty and passion, which are inevitably marred by the harsh realities of existence. The fire of passion has died, and its ashes are tangled in the hair of the beloved, symbolizing how past emotions linger and entangle themselves in our present.

The recurring lines, "Y me oyes desde lejos, y mi voz no te alcanza; déjame que me calle con el silencio tuyo," and "Me voy, estoy triste; pero siempre estoy triste, vengo desde tus brazos, no sé hacia donde voy," echo a profound sense of distance and unfulfilled communication. These lines, borrowed from the poetry of Pablo Neruda, enhance the song's emotional depth, emphasizing the pain of separation and the perpetual state of sadness that follows.

As the narrator stands at the threshold, they observe the tragic garden of their existence, where each falling leaf represents a fading memory and each fruit a lingering pain. The imagery of autumn, a season often associated with decay and decline, underscores the theme of inevitable loss. The song's melancholic tone and rich metaphors invite listeners to reflect on their own experiences of love, loss, and the passage of time.

"Desde El Umbral" is a hauntingly beautiful meditation on the ephemeral nature of life and the enduring weight of sorrow. It captures the essence of standing on the brink, looking back at what was and forward into the unknown, all while carrying the heavy burden of memory and emotion.