Proseando

At the border of the ranches
The cowboys meet
On a summer morning
On one side, black João
Who's tending to the calf
On the other, Luis and Pinheiro
Who are changing fence posts

They talk about recruits
Castrated roosters and heifers
Who are actually late
There's no time for anything
As soon as summer hits
There's bathing, insemination
Weighing of the sheep!

And what's more, may God help
Because there's a remedy for everything
In the hope of these people
Humble, honest, and brave
They disguise their fatigue
With faith and strength in their arms
Under that hot sun

And the weather? Will it rain?
The usual chat continues
With the same questions
They remember other summers
They talk about the harsh drought
False promises of rain
Contradicting the schemes

They agree on many things
They plan country parties
In the hills and in the corral
One will take the dappled horse
To see how it performs
And for the races, what's there
Is the bay and a chestnut

The scent of a new pipe
That was closed during the break
That renews and gives vigor
A bay horse sweating
Grazing with a bit
And in the shade, a shepherd
Avoiding the heat

Chatting, they forget about time
And if they could, they'd chat
For this entire morning
About the damage from the storm
That killed the red mare
Or about the dappled filly
That bucked on Thursday