Enfermera
Porfirio Ayvar
The Heartfelt Plea of a Lovesick Patient
The song "Enfermera" by Porfirio Ayvar is a unique blend of cultural elements and personal emotions. The lyrics, which are a mix of Quechua and Spanish, tell the story of someone who is learning English phrases to communicate with a foreigner, indicated by the lines 'Inglischatam yachapakuchkani / Gringachata qaticusaq nispa.' This suggests a cultural encounter, possibly between a local person and someone from an English-speaking country. The repetition of 'How are you, my love,' shows an attempt to bridge a language barrier with affectionate words.
The chorus, 'Enfermeray, enfermeray / Corazonchaymi nanallawachkan,' which translates to 'Nurse, nurse / My heart is aching,' metaphorically uses the figure of a nurse to express deep emotional pain, as if the speaker's heartache requires medical attention. The plea for the nurse to alleviate the pain with 'Raku venata llapchacullaway' (broad veins to be cauterized) further emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's feelings. The song conveys a sense of desperation and longing for relief from the torment of unrequited or distant love.
The final verses, 'Toda la vidam kuyakullasqayki / Toda la vidam wayllukullasqayki,' pledge eternal love and devotion, indicating that the speaker's feelings are profound and enduring. The song, therefore, is not just about cultural exchange or language learning, but also about the universal experience of love and the pain it can bring when there is a barrier, be it linguistic or emotional, between two people.
