Saturday, October 25, 2008

for those who never took spanish, and for those who did

Hace unas semanas, en mi clase de Literatura y Otros Artes, leímos un poema de Rafael Alberti. Me gusta mucho:

Los Niños de Extremadura
Los niños de Extremadura
van descalzos.
¿Quién les robó los zapatos?

Les hiere el calor y el frío.
¿Quién les rompió los vestidos?

La lluvia
les moja el sueño y la cama.
¿Quién les derribó la casa?

No saben
los nombres de las estrellas.
¿Quién les cerró las escuelas?

Los niños de Extremadura
son serios.
¿Quién fue el ladrón de sus juegos?

:::

The children of Extremadura [a forgotten, poverty-stricken region of Spain when this was written]
go barefoot.
Who has stolen their shoes?

They are wounded by
the heat and the cold.
Who ruined their dresses?

The rain
soaks their dreams and their bed.
Who destroyed their house?

They don't know
the names of the stars
Who closed the schools?

The children of Extremadura
are serious.
Who was the thief of their games?

:::

I don't know, I just like it. And I told Andrew I'd translate it...kind of silly, recommending a poem to someone who doesn't speak the language. Oops.

Btw, I'm coming home in December. I have to work it out with school and housing, and not let the director here convince me to stay, but this time it's certain. I can't stay here until May; I just can't. I don't have to be a fiercely independent world traveler. There's no shame in admitting that I need to be closer to home. And every time I think about being home in 2 months instead of 7, it makes me incredibly happy. How's that for an answer?

Love always,
molly

7 comments:

KL said...

Ah spanish poetry. Que bella. (<- I think that's right)
Doesn't quite beat "La Historia del Penguino" though. Now there's an award-winning piece of Spanish literature.
I know I just wrote you on Facebook, questioning the seriousness of your return. Now that I've seen it in two places, I'm more convinced it's not some cruel joke (though that's more my game of choice, not yours). I'm sad that you don't feel comfortable staying, but proud of your ability to assess yourself and your needs and stand up for them. I support you in whatever decision you make.
Even if you do secretly want to go to HSM3.

kaetochi said...

ayayayaya! you'll be home in December?!! omgsh. SO exciting xD

theladychef said...

I'm excited for you. It's a beautiful poem, by the way... and today I had a very powerful "I miss Molly" moment, and I can't just call you on the phone and being able to just call you on the phone in December is pretty stellar news. PS I sort of DTR'd James................
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:)

Sarah said...

Ok...here is your task.

Visit KC. If you don't want to be a world traveler, how about a nation traveler for a few days?

Also, I miss you.

John said...

You wuss

KL said...

I will see John tomorrow night.
You want me to hit him?
Cuz I could do that for you.

molls said...

porfa, KL. and tell him he gets one from me when I come home. love you too, john.