El Ciego - The blind

(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 at her hand get tangled up like an ivy
I saw her lips in two beautiful bays
but not to her heart that was of stone.

I saw an earring hang lazily
and to her face be filled with innocence
I saw a court marching to royalty
but not when they passed my sentence.

I saw the longest nights smiling
and to milk on the floor
I saw her two golden braids hanging
but I never saw that she never loved me.

I saw the world run inside my mind
and to the soft music of my piano
I saw a rose born on her forehead
but I did not see her love so dwarf.

I burned for not seeing that she was the fire
and I learned since then to look;
but, Lord, do you not hear so much pleading?
I would have preferred to go blind!
I almost died yesterday watching her pass.