El Ciego - The blind man

(Salón Oasis junto al Estero Salado cruzando el puente 5 de Junio donde actualmente se encuentra el parque Lineal - Oasis room next to Estero Salado across the bridge June 5 where the Linear park is currently located, Guayaquil 1940)

Vi sus ojos brillando como estrellas

y a su mano enredarse como una hiedra

vi sus labios en dos bahías bellas

mas no a su corazón que era de piedra.

Vi un arete colgarse con pereza

y a su rostro llenarse de inocencia

vi una corte marchando a la realeza

mas no cuando dictaron mi sentencia.

Vi sonriendo las noches más extensas

y a la leche regarse por el piso

vi colgando doradas sus dos trenzas

mas no vi que jamás ella me quiso.

Vi al mundo correr dentro mi mente

y a la música suave de mi piano

vi una rosa nacer sobre su frente

mas no vi su cariño tan enano.

Me quemé por no ver que ella era el fuego

y aprendí desde entonces a mirar;

mas, Señor, ¿es que no oyes tanto ruego?

¡hubiese preferido quedar ciego!

casi muero al mirarla ayer pasar.

I saw her eyes shining like stars,

(Pintura del artista ruso Vladimir Volegov)

and her hand entwined like ivy;

I saw her lips, two beautiful bays—

but not her heart, which was of stone.

I saw an earring hang with ease,

and her face filled with innocence;

I saw a court march to royalty—

but not the moment they pronounced my sentence.

I saw the longest nights smiling,

and milk spilling across the floor;

I saw her two golden braids hanging—

but I never saw she never loved me at all.

I saw the world racing inside my mind,

and the soft music of my piano;

I saw a rose bloom upon her brow—

but I did not see how small her love was.

I burned for not seeing she was the fire,

and I learned since then to truly see;

but, Lord, do You not hear my plea?

I would have preferred to remain blind—

I almost died yesterday, watching her pass.