Popurri de Candombes

(Back in the neighborhood)

When the river Plate
walks inside me,
when the sun rolls calmly
in my dawn,
I stretch back to my town
snaking in a candombe,
and I'll look for a forgotten lamp.

When I step on the stairs
of my parents' house,
the dog barks announcing my arrival,
and some gray hairs
peeking out the window
from the garden, the elves sprout
that comb and caress me
perfuming the blue bow of childhood.

Back in the neighborhood I go
in a gentle candombe.
Back in the neighborhood I go...

(Candombe of January sixth)

It is well known
that on January sixth
is the day of the Three Wise Men,
and in honor of one of them, the darkest one
a party is scheduled in the neighborhood.

It is well known
that he is the darkest one,
the King of the candombe Saints,
- Saint Balthazar is a very cheerful saint -
says Mama Inés and moves her feet.

Ready hearts,
they go with the candombe
to profess with this rhythm,
the red colors, with golden festoon,
are liked by King Saint Balthazar.

(Blue Memory)

I have crossed once again
that brief and narrow corridor of light,
that ties me to the past,
that laughs at me, mocks me,
that calls me and forgets me,
that brief and narrow corridor...

Until I reach the years of my innocence,
and breathe the flowers of adolescence.
Warm meadows, childish voices
blue memory.