LA MADRE, LLORONA

Ahmed Selou-Abdo

You left the temple
My dear, with your two sons
You returned to the temple,
My lady, sullen and eyes sunken

A shell of yourself, my beautiful
Lady, dressed in a beautiful huipil
And slowly, my love, the colour soon
Left you,
You almost looked peaceful if not
For your tear-stained cheeks

You carried two kids and your huipil
And wept
As you walked by the sacred lilies
With them in hand the flowers mourned with you

They tell you about love and suffering,
Sweet mother,
But do they know your story?

These flowers,
They say they can feel you, your tears as you weep
When they’re moved by the wind
And rain, they sound like they’re sobbing

Please, lead me to the river,
Cover me with your scarf
Before I die from the cold,
With two kisses please carry
My soul my heart my being

As you whistle in the wind,
Sweet mother, you’re taking me
To the river, you gave me your scarf
For the journey, sweet mother, so I don’t die from the cold

Why can’t I leave the river,
Please, I’m cold,
I can see your tears as you
Keep me here,
Llorona, please let me go,
Before I die from the cold