Alfonsina Y El Mar

Tania Libertad's rendition of 'Alfonsina Y El Mar' is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to the Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni, who tragically ended her life by walking into the sea. The song's lyrics, written by Félix Luna and set to music by Ariel Ramírez, paint a vivid picture of Alfonsina's final moments, blending sorrow with a sense of poetic transcendence.

The opening lines describe the delicate footprints on the sand that are washed away by the sea, symbolizing Alfonsina's departure from the world. The 'path of sorrow and silence' leading to the 'deep water' reflects her inner turmoil and the silent suffering she endured. The repetition of 'penas mudas' (silent sorrows) emphasizes the weight of her unspoken pain, which ultimately led her to seek solace in the ocean's embrace.

The song also explores the mystical and serene aspects of Alfonsina's journey. Imagery of 'sirenitas' (little mermaids) and 'fosforescentes caballos marinos' (phosphorescent sea horses) creates a dreamlike, almost magical atmosphere. These elements suggest that Alfonsina's final act was not just an escape from pain but a transition into a different, more peaceful realm. The recurring question, '¿qué poemas nuevos fuiste a buscar?' (what new poems did you go to seek?), underscores her eternal quest for poetic inspiration, even in death.

The final verses convey a sense of resignation and peace. Alfonsina's request to 'bájame la lámpara un poco más' (lower the lamp a little more) and her instruction to tell any callers that she 'no vuelve' (is not returning) signify her acceptance of her fate. The imagery of her being 'vestida de mar' (dressed in the sea) encapsulates her union with the ocean, transforming her final moments into a poetic and serene farewell.