“Earth Day” poems: Aqqaluk Lynge

 

Aqqaluk Lynge is a Kalaallit (Greenland Inuit) poet who writes

in the Kalaallisut (Greenlandic) language – closely related to the Inuktitut

language of the Canadian Arctic.

The poems below were translated into English

by Ken Norris and Marianne Stenbaek, with the poet.

_____

 

A Life of Respect

 

 

In the old days

when we still lived our own lives

in our own country

We could hear

a faraway thunder –

the caribou approaching

two or three days in advance

*

Then we did not count the animals, but knew

that when the caribou herd arrived

it would be seven days

before all the animals crossed the river

We did not count them

We had no quotas

We knew only

that a child’s weeping

or a seagull’s cry

could frighten the animals away

*

Then we knew

that there is a balance

between the animals and us,

lives of mutual respect

*

Now it is as if we are under arrest

the wardens are everywhere

We are interrogated constantly.

In Your hungering after more riches and land

You make us suspect,

force us to justify our existence

*

On maps of the country

We must draw points and lines

to show we have been here –

and are here today,

here where the foxes run

and birds nest

and the fish spawn

*

You circumscribe everything

demand that we prove

We exist,

that We use the land that was always ours,

that We have a right to our ancestral lands

*

And now it is We who ask:

By what right are You here?

 

_____

 

Ataqqeqatigiittut

 

 

Qanga – ila qanga

nammineq inuugallaratta

uagut nammineq nunatsinni

Taamani tusartarpagut

avani qannguluk

ullut pingasut sioqqullugit

tuttorpaat ingerlaarnerat

*

Qanga – taamani

kisitsineq atunngilaq

nalunngittuarparpulli

ullut unnuallu arfineq-marluk

qaangiuppata

kuuk ikaareersimassagaat.

*

Pisassavut nalunngilavut

ilisimavarpullu malussarissup

tusassagaa meeqqap qiarpalua

naajannguulluunniit qarlorpalua

*

Qanga – taamani

suna tamarmi

naammattusaarineruvoq

ataqqeqatigiilluta

uumasut uagullu

*

Ullumikkulli tigusatut inuuvugut

sissuertut sumut pigaanni

qalliuniartut pasivaatigut

unnerluussatullu killisiorluta

*

Nuna assiliorpaat

uanngaanniit uunga titarlugu

aana killissaa

aana ilissi aana uagut

Tuttut uaniipput

aaku timmissat

aamma aaku aalisakkat

*

Suna tamaat killormut pivaat

uagutsinnullu uppernarsaqqullugu

apeqquserlugulu

ilumut inuusugut

nunalu tummaarigipput

*

Ataqqeqatigiittut aaku kisimik

uagut uumasullu.

 

 

 

We listen to the Elders

 

 

I meet him on the land

goose-hunting

Today is Sunday, he says,

No-one is allowed to shoot

That’s what the Elders say

And we listen to the Elders…

sometimes.

*

A flock of geese is coming

fighting against the wind

He takes a rifle

and shoots at them

One falls to the ground

the others fly away

– Well, it is Sunday

*

A flock of ptarmigans

jumps in a circle around us

no cries are heard

They are afraid, the elder says,

the owls are out hunting

and the ptarmigans seek protection among Men

– so We don’t hunt Them,

that’s what the Elders say.

And We listen to the Elders…

sometimes.

 

_____

 

Utoqqartavut naalattarpavut

 

 

Nunap timaani naapippara nerlerniaq

– utoqqartatta oqaappaatigut

“Ullumi sapaat

taamaammat aallaaniassanngilagut”

Utoqqaammi oqartapata

naalattarpavut – ilaanni

*

Nerlerpaaluit assorlutik timmisut qulaappaatigut

aallaaniap timmiarsiunni kiviinnaqaa

ummiullugillu

seqqoqaaq

ataasersuaq nakkaqaaq

sinneri ingerlaannarput

– ullumi sapaat

*

Aqisserpalaaq tusiuppoq

eqqannguatsinnut mipput

kaavillutalu

Utoqqartarput pilerpoq

“Aqissit uppinnit piniarneqartillutik

inunnut qimaasaramik

Nujuillisaaraangata

aallaaiarneq ajorpavut”

Utoqqaammi oqarpata

naalaattarpavut – ilaanni

 

_____


“But the blooming words declare the storm with bravery”: Five 21st-century Iranian women poets

“A Rush”  by Sylvana Salmanpour

With soft words

I draw a childhood dream

on a nascent memory.

I write in peace

so that the silky dream of the notebook

will not tear apart.

But the blooming words declare

the storm with bravery.

“Those Days”  by Fereshteh Sari

Those days

Poetry

was my room

and wherever I felt unsafe

I gravitated into its eternal sanctuary.

These days

there aren’t any rooms

that can harbour me against the crowd

and behind every window

inside and outside every room

a two-faced clown sneers.

“The Stone I become”  by Nasrin Ranjbar Irani

I do not grow or nurture

the stone, I become

the stone

I mask the spring’s mouth

I do not cry or distress others

The Rock, I become

The Rock

that intrudes into the peaceful pond

Neither do I laugh nor do I want others to laugh

The stone, I become

the stone and I shatter the mirrors.

To poetry

I vow, to joy, to dew,

that I will be a stone again

an undeniable slash across the brow

But before these all

I want to be

the glass

the flame

the mirror

Ah!  A crystal ball

and the spring rain…

Once and Only Once

To be in love, in love, in love

in this lifetime,

Once and Only Once!

“Neither a Satellite nor the Internet”  by Pegah Ahmadi

A poem ambles across the wall

forever and a day

In the heart of the kitchen it spins,

spins on the porch

And when it returns

It utters:

Neither a Satellite nor the Internet

I am not the universal Media

Nothing but a new leaf on this arid plant

Or the thought of a rendezvous

Makes me rejoice

I am only a poem to brush your hair

A poem to pass through you!

“A Day without You”  by Nasrin Behjati

And I commenced my day

Without you or your name

I spilled you out of my tea

Out of my breakfast

From the kitchen

And I didn’t nurture the plants…

so that I could witness your rage,

Your name from autumn

The autumn from the field

And the field from the poems,  I

removed

I heaved you out of my memories and

the seasons and I walked to the mirror

To cut short the locks you loved so,

Alas!   In the mirror a sunflower reflected

Your unkind frame,

Outlined my face forevermore,

I had become you!

_____

The poems featured here from five Iranian women poets were translated

from Persian (Farsi) into English by Sheema Kalbasi.

Visit her literary site:  http://www.sheemakalbasi.com


Poems for Saint Patrick’s Day: Love and The Poet / Poemas para el Día de San Patricio: Amor y El Poeta

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)

“Memoria” (1919)

Una tenía la cara linda,

Y dos o tres eran encantadoras,

Pero cara y encanto fueron en vano

Porque la hierba de la sierra

Siempre conserva la forma

Donde se ha tendido la liebre del monte.

_____

“Canción de Muchacha” (1933)


Salí sola

Para cantar una canción o dos,

Se me antoja un hombre

Y usted sabe quien es.

*

Otro se apareció

que dependía de un bastón

Para estar de pié;

Me senté y lloré.

*

Y ésta fue toda mi canción

– cuando todo ha sido dicho

¿Vi a un anciano joven,

O a un joven anciano?

_____

 “Canción para beber” (1910)

El vino entra vía la boca

Y el amor entra vía el ojo;

Es toda la verdad que sabremos

Antes de envejecer y morir.

Levanto el vaso a mi boca,

Te miro, y suspiro.

_____

“La Espuela” (1936)

Tu piensas que es horrible que lujuria y furia

Me adoran en la vejez…

No eran una peste cuando yo era joven;

¿Tengo algo más para espolearme cantar?

_____

“Un Voto Jurado en lo Más Profundo” (1919)

Habían otros – porque no cumpliste

Ese voto jurado en lo más profundo – que han sido amigos míos;

Pero siempre cuando miro a la muerte en la cara,

Cuando trepo a las cumbres de sueño,

O cuando me estremezco con el vino,

De súbito me encuentro con tu cara.

__________

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)

“Memory” (1919)

One had a lovely face,

And two or three had charm,

But charm and face were in vain

Because the mountain grass

Cannot but keep the form

Where the mountain hare has lain.

_____

“Girl’s Song” (1933)

I went out alone

To sing a song or two,

My fancy on a man,

And you know who.

*

Another came in sight

That on a stick relied

To hold himself upright;

I sat and cried.

*

And that was all my song

–  when everything is told,

Saw I an old man young

Or young man old?

_____

“Drinking Song” (1910)

Wine comes in at the mouth

And love comes in at the eye;

That’s all we shall know for truth

Before we grow old and die.

I lift the glass to my mouth,

I look at you, and I sigh.

Poteen Drinkers by Brian Whelan_2011

“The Spur” (1936)

You think it horrible that lust and rage

Should dance attention upon my old age;

They were not such a plague when I was young;

What else have I to spur me into song?

_____

“A deep-sworn vow” (1919)

Others because you did not keep

That deep-sworn vow have been friends of mine;

Yet always when I look death in the face,

When I clamber to the heights of sleep,

Or when I grow excited with wine,

Suddenly I meet your face.

_____

Translation into Spanish /

Traducción en español:  Alexander Best


Etta James: “Mi Fuerte Amante” / “Tough Lover”

Etta James

“Mi Fuerte Amante” (1956)

 

 

 

Tengo un amante que me mueve tanto,

Sabe hacer ‘el rocanrol’,

Porque es fuerte – mi amante –

Es un amante vigoroso,

Amante recio,

Un amante fuerte – ¡eso es!

*

Cuando me besa,

Me emociona;

Cuando se sacude,

No me quedo quieta.

Es un amante vigoroso,

Amante recio,

Un amante fuerte – ¡aaah, sííí!

*

Las Siete Hermanas no lo pueden tener,

Estoy hablando acerca del Amor –

Y es veloz – él – como el viento.

Habla la gente que estoy enbrujada.

Pero no es el vudú – ¡es ese “twist”!

El Amante más grande de nuestra era,

Aún Don Juan no tiene ningun’esperanza.

Te hace reír,

Te hace llorar,

Se pone tan recio que

Pued’hacer a un’estatua de Venus resucitar.

Hace todo lo que quiera – aún:

Pisotear los zapatos de gamuza-azul de Jesse James.

Es un amante audaz,

y duro, y recio,

Un amante fuerte – ¡ajá, ajá!

*

¿Tienes amante que quieras amar?

¡Golpéale en la cabeza una vez – o dos!

Será tu amante vigoroso – ¡sí, sí! –

Un amante recio – ¡eso es!

Un amante fuerte – ¡aaah, sííí!

 

 

 

Glosario:

Las Siete Hermanas se llaman Las Pléyades – en la mitología griega.

Las dos más famosas – Electra y Maia – eran “Fuerzas de la Naturaleza”.

Jesse James era un forajido estadounidense de la era “Viejo Oeste”.

 

_____

 

Etta James (1938-2012)

escribió las letras y grabó esta canción

en 1956 – a la edad tierna de dieciocho años.

Su personalidad era fuerte y burlona pero pudo

cantar también la música íntima del Blues.

*

Traducción / interpretación  en español:  Lidia García Garay

 

_____

 

Etta James

“Tough Lover” (1956)

 

 

Well, I’ve got a lover that moves me so

He sho knows how to rock’n’roll

‘Cause he’s a tough lover – yeah, yeah

He’s a tough lover – wooooo

Tough Lover – yeah, yeah

Tough Lover – unh hunh!

*

When he kisses me

I get a thrill

But when he does that wiggle

I can’t keep still

‘Cause he’s a tough lover – yeah, yeah

He’s a tough lover – wooooo!

Tough Lover – yeah, yeah

Tough Lover – unh hunh!

*

The Seven Sisters have nothin’ on him

I’m talkin’ about love – and he’s fast as the wind

People all talk about he’s got me fixed

It ain’t hoodoo –  it’s just that twist!

He’s the greatest lover ever come to pass

Don Juan ain’t got a half of a chance.

He can make you laugh

He can make you cry

He’s so tough he’ll make Venus come alive.

He can do anything that he wants to do –

Step on Jesse James’s blue-suede shoes

‘Cause he’s a tough lover – yeah, yeah

He’s a tough lover – wooooo!

Tough Lover – yeah, yeah

Tough Lover – unh hunh!

*

You got a lover

That you wanna love right?

Just pop him ’side the head

– Once or twice!

He’ll be a tough lover – yeah, yeah

He’ll be your tough lover – wooooo!

Tough lover – yeah, yeah

Tough lover – unh hunh!

 

_____

 

Etta James (1938-2012)

was a rock’n’roll “mama” even

at the tender age of 18, which is when she

wrote and recorded this song with her band,

The Peaches.   Her vocal delivery was often

rough-and-tough in sound – but also full of

fun.   The “wooooo’s” in her singing she

borrowed from Little Richard, with whom

she toured in the 1950s.   By middle age she

was undisputedly the best living Blues singer

in The United States.

_____


Ataulfo Alves: “In a masquerade of Joy I hid my Sadness…”

Ataulfo Alves  (Sambista brasileiro, 1906-1969)

“Ilusão de carnaval”

.

Mascarado de alegria

Escondi minha tristeza

Terminada a folia

Sou mais triste com certeza

Ilusão de carnaval

Enganei somente a mim

Sem pensar que afinal

Carnaval também tem fim.

*

Ataulfo Alves 

(Brazilian Samba composer, 1906-1969)

“Carnival Illusion”

.

In a masquerade of Joy

I hid my Sadness.

Revelry done,

More sad than ever

Am I…

.

You Illusion – oh Carnival !

I merely tricked myself

Without thinking that,

After all,

Carnival too comes to an end.

 

.

Translation from Portuguese:

Alexander Best


Djavan: “Face of the Indian” / “Cara de Índio”

Letra da canção de

cantor e compositor afrobrasileiro

Djavan (nasce 1949)

“Cara de Índio”(1978)

 

 

Índio cara pálida,

cara de índio.

Índio cara pálida,

cara de índio.

Sua ação é válida, meu caro índio.

Sua ação é válida, válida ao índio.

Nessa terra tudo dá,

terra de índio.

Nessa terra tudo dá,

não para o índio.

Quando alguém puder plantar,

quem sabe índio.

Quando alguém puder plantar,

não é índio.

Índio quer se nomear,

nome de índio.

Índio quer se nomear,

duvido índio.

Isso pode demorar,

te cuida índio.

Isso pode demorar,

coisa de índio.

*

Índio sua pipoca,

tá pouca índio.

Índio quer pipoca,

te toca índio.

Se o índio se tocar,

touca de índio.

Se o índio toca,

não chove índio.

Se quer abrir a boca,

pra sorrir índio.

Se quer abrir a boca,

na toca índio.

*

A minha também tá pouca,

cota de índio.

Apesar da minha roupa,

também sou índio.

 

_____

 

Djavan

(Brazilian songwriter, born 1949)

“The Indian Face” (1978)

 

 

Indio pale-face

Indian face.

Pale-face Indio

Your action is just, my dear Indio.

Your action is valid, right for the Indian.

In that land everything grows

– the Indian’s land.

In that land everything grows

– but not for the Indian.

When someone can plant,

who knows? The Indio.

When someone inspires,

Isn’t it the Indio?

An Indian wants to call himself

an Indian name.

Indio wants to call himself himself

– I doubt it, Indio

– that might take time – take care,

That might take time,

The Indian thing.

*

Indio gets just

A little “popcorn”.

He wants “popcorn” too

– it’s your turn, Indio.

If the Indian touches his head

it doesn’t rain.

If he wants to open his mouth

– Smile, Indio.

If he wants to open his mouth,

Don’t touch him.

*

I also have little,

An Indian’s share.

Despite my clothes,

I’m an Indio, too.

 

_____


Jorge Ben Jor: Day of the Indian / Dia de Índio

_____

Jorge Ben Jor (nasce 1942)

“Curumin chama cunhãtã que eu vou contar

(Todo dia era Dia de Índio)”  (1981)

Hey  Hey  Hey!

Hey  Hey  Hey!

Jês, Kariris, Karajás, Tukanos, Caraíbas,

Makus, Nambikwaras, Tupis, Bororós,

Guaranis, Kaiowa, Ñandeva, YemiKruia

Yanomá, Waurá, Kamayurá, Iawalapiti,

Txikão, Txu-Karramãe, Xokren, Xikrin,

Krahô, Ramkokamenkrá, Suyá !

*

Curumim chama cunhatã que eu vou contar

Cunhatã chama curumim que eu vou contar

Curumim, cunhatã

Cunhatã, curumim

*

Antes que os homens aqui pisassem

Nas ricas e férteis terraes brazilis

Que eram povoadas e amadas por milhões de índios

Reais donos felizes

Da terra do pau-brasil

Pois todo dia, toda hora, era dia de índio

Pois todo dia, toda hora, era dia de índio

*

Mas agora eles só têm um dia

O dia dezenove de abril…

Amantes da pureza e da natureza

Eles são de verdade incapazes

De maltratarem as fêmeas

Ou de poluir o rio, o céu e o mar

Protegendo o equilíbrio ecológico

Da terra, fauna e flora.

Pois na sua história, o índio

É o exemplo mais puro

Mais perfeito, mais belo

Junto da harmonia da fraternidade.

É da alegria,

Da alegria de viver

Da alegria de amar.

Mas no entanto agora

O seu canto de guerra

É um choro de uma raça inocente…

Que já foi muito contente

Pois antigamente

Todo dia, toda hora, era dia de índio.

*

Jês, Kariris, Karajás, Tukanos, Caraíbas,

Makus, Nambikwaras, Tupis, Bororós,

Guaranis, Kaiowa, Ñandeva, YemiKruia

Yanomá, Waurá, Kamayurá, Iawalapiti, Suyá,

Txikão, Txu-Karramãe, Xokren, Xikrin, Krahô,

Ramkokamenkrá, Suyá !

*

Todo dia, toda hora, era dia de índio…..

Curumim, cunhatã / Hey! Hey! Hey!

Hey! Hey! Hey! / Cunhatã, curumim…..

_____

Jorge Ben Jor

“Every day, every hour, was the Day of the Indian”

Hey  Hey  Hey!

Hey  Hey  Hey!

Jês, Kariris, Karajás, Tukanos, Caraíbas,

Makus, Nambikwaras, Tupis, Bororós,

Guaranis, Kaiowa, Ñandeva, YemiKruia

Yanomá, Waurá, Kamayurá, Iawalapiti,

Suyá, Txikão, Txu-Karramãe, Xokren, Xikrin,

Krahô, Ramkokamenkrá, Suyá !

*

Call:   “Curumim cunhatã” – I’m going to tell it.

Cry:   “Cunhatã curumim” is how I’m going to tell it.

Curumim, cunhatã

Cunhatã, curumim

*

Before people trod here

Upon this rich and fertile land of Brazil

It was populated and loved by millions of Indians,

Happy moneyless owners

Of this land of “Brazil-wood”.

Back then, every day, every hour, was the Day of the Indian.

But now they have only one day,

The 19th of April…

*

Lovers of purity, of nature,

They knew truth, incapable of

Mistreating Woman

Or of polluting river, sky and sea,

Protecting the ecological equilibrium

Of earth, flora and fauna.

And so, in history,  the Indio

Is an exemplar most pure,

Perfect and beautiful.

Together in the harmony of humanity

He gives joy – joy of life,  joy of love.

Now, though, theirs is a war song – and it’s

The cry of an innocent race…

In olden times they were most happy because

Every day, every hour, was the Day of the Indian.

*

Jês, Kariris, Karajás, Tukanos, Caraíbas,

Makus, Nambikwaras, Tupis, Bororós,

Guaranis, Kaiowa, Ñandeva, YemiKruia

Yanomá, Waurá, Kamayurá, Iawalapiti,

Txikão, Txu-Karramãe, Xokren, Xikrin,

Krahô, Ramkokamenkrá, Suyá !

*

Every day, every hour, was the Day of the Indian.

Curumim, cunhatã / Hey! Hey! Hey!

Hey! Hey! Hey! / Cunhatã, curumim…..

_____

Glossary:

Jês, Kariris, Karajás, Tukanos, Caraíbas, etc.,

–  Ben gives us a list of names of the

Indian/Indigenous/Native Peoples of Brazil

The 19th of April – throughout Latin and South America,

this day – Dia Americano del Indio – draws attention to the

cultures, struggles and progress of Indigenous Peoples;

initiated in 1940 at Pátzcuaro, México, during the first

“Congreso Indigenista Interamericano”

/ InterAmerican Indigenous Congress


Poemas de Amor del idioma zapoteco

Victor Terán

(nace 1958, Juchitán, Oaxaca, México;

Idioma:  Zapoteco Istmeño / Language:

Isthmus Zapotec)

 

 

Lu ti nagana

 

 

Lu ti neza

chupa ná’

nagu’xhugá

zuguaa’.

Tobi ri’

nadxii naa,

xtobi ca

nadxiee laa.

Nisaguié,

nisaguié,

gudiibixendxe

ladxiduá’.

Gubidxaguié’,

gubidxaguié’,

binduuba’ gu’xhu’

ndaani’ bizaluá’.

 

_____

 

Duda

 

 

Sobre un camino

Que se bifurca,

Confundido

Me hallo.

Ésta

Me ama,

Aquella la amo.

Lluvia,

Lluvia,

Lava con mucho esmero

El alma mía.

Sol en flor,

Sol en flor,

Barre el humo

De mis ojos.

 

_____

 

Indecision

 

 

Upon a road

which forks,

confused

I stand.

One woman

loves me,

another

I love.

Rain,

rain,

meticulously cleanse

my soul.

The blossoming sun,

the blossoming sun,

sweep the smoke

from my eyes.

 

_____     _____     _____

 

 

Biluxe

 

 

Biluxe

Ne ngasi nga laani.

Lu neza zadxaagalulu’

Ca ni bidxagalú cou’

Biá’ dxi

Gúcalu’ bandá’ xtibe;

Ti bi’cu’, ti bihui,

Ti binni.

Gasti’ zadxaa

Ne laaca ca bigose

Guxhuuna’ íquelu’

Gusiquichi ique badunguiiu

Bichaabe lii.

Ne laaca decheyoo

Bizucánelu’ laabe

Gusicabe guendarusiaanda’ xtibe.

Gasti’ zadxaa.

Lii siou’ nga zusácalu’

Guidxilayú ma qui gapa

Xiñee guireexieque,

Ma qui gapa xiñee

quiidxi guendanabani.

Ne zoyaalu’ guendanabani xtilu’,

Ladxido’lo zapapa

Bia’ qui guchendaxhiaasi layú,

Ne nalu’ ne ñeelu’

Zusiaandu’ laaca’,

Qui zánnalu paraa zuhuaalu’,

Ne nisi lulu’, nisi nalu’

Zaniibihuati guiá’ ne guete’.

_____

 

Se acabó

 

 

 

Se acabó

y eso es todo.

Sobre tus pasos encontrarás

las cosas mismas que hallaste

durante los días

que fuiste su sombre;

Un perro , un cerdo,

una persona.

Nada cambiará

y los mismos zanates

que te ensuciaron la cabeza

blanquearán la del joven

que tomó tu lugar.

Y detrás de la casa

donde se recostaban

ella asentará su olvido.

Nada cambiará,

sin embargo supondrás

que no tiene sentido ya

el movimiento de la tierra,

ya no existen motivos

para afferarse a la vida.

Y morderás tu hombría,

tu corazón vibrará

con las alas a punto de golpear la tierra,

y tus brazos y tus piernas

los pondrás en el olvido,

perdido en tu sitio

te verás moviendo tontamente

los ojos y los brazos de norte a sur.

 

_____

 

It’s Over

 

 

It’s over…

and that is all.

Along your pathway you will find

the same things you discovered

during the days when you were her shadow:

A dog, a pig,

A person.

Nothing will change…

And the same “zanates”(little crows)

that soiled your head

will whiten that of the young man

who took your place.

And behind the house

where you and she

used to lie,

she will lay down her memory.

Nothing will change…

However, you will think

that the earth’s movement

no longer makes any sense,

that there are no more reasons

to cling to life.

And you will swallow your manly pride;

your heart will pulsate,

its wings nearly striking the ground,

and your arms and legs

will be caste into oblivion…

Lost within your space,

you will find yourself

foolishly moving your eyes and arms

from north to south.

 

 

_____

 

Traducciones del zapoteco al español:  el poeta

Translations from Zapotec into Spanish:  the poet

Traducciones del español al inglés /

Translations from Spanish into English:

©   Carlos Montemayor,  Donald Frischmann,  2004

 


Poemas de Amor del idioma maya

Gerardo Can Pat  (1957-1994,

Tibolón, Yucatán, México;

Idioma:  Maya / Language:  Maya)

Teech yeten teen

 

Wey yóok’olkaabe’ teech yéeten teen,

ka’atulo’on tyo’lal yaakunal núupo’on,

in yaakumech teche’a k’áaten,

yaakumabaa ka’ach to’on ka’atulo’on.

*

Teche’ mina’anech tin wiknal nejla’e’,

le yaakunale’ p’áat chen túun bejla’e’,

ba’ale’ tene’ leyli’ tin pa’tike’,

le yaabilaj ma’ táan dzikteno’.

*

Ka’atulo’on t-wayak’taj ya’ankach ba’alo’ob,

ti’ junp’éel lu’umkabil k-ti’al ka’atulo’on,

mix jach chichani’ mix jach nojochi’,

tu p’iis u ti’al k-yaakuntikbaa ka’achij.

*

Jaytéenak táan k-máan in lochmaj a kaal,

jaytéenak ta wa’ajten a yaakumajen,

le o’olal chan junp’éel ba’al in wojel,

teche’ mixbiik’in  ken a tu’ubsilen.

*

Tin dzajtech u dzook ba’ax yaan tene’,

in yaakunal yéeten mis juntuusil,

ba’ale’ teche’ we’ek’ech men sajkil,

le o’olal bejla’e’ bey ma’ k’ajobae’.

*

Wa ti’ junp’éel k’iin ku suut a tuukule’,

wek’ a sajkilil ki’imakunta wóod,

tumen in sa’as tech’ mina’an mixba’al,

juntulili’on tu ka’atéen k’p’áatal.

_____

Tú y yo

En el mundo tú y yo

fuimos hechos inseparables por el amor.

Igual que tú, yo te amo,

juntos el amor nos hizo.

*

Juntos muchas cosas soñamos:

un mundo sólo para nosotros,

no grande ni pequeño,

exacto para este amor.

*

¡Cuántas veces caminamos, abrazándonos,

y tú diciendo que me amabas!

Sólo una cosa sé:

no has de olvidarme.

*

Te entregué lo que tenía:

mi amor sin un solo engaño.

Hoy el miedo te ha derrotado

y por eso parecemos desconocidos.

*

Pero si algún día tuvieras firme otra vez

el pensamiento

y vencieras este miedo, escucha:

no tengo nada que perdonarte,

otra vez seremos los dos uno solo.

_____

You and I

In this world, you and I

were made inseparable by love.

Just as you love me, I love you.

Love made us as one.

*

Together, we dreamed of many things:

a world just for us…

not large or small,

but just right for this love.

*

How many times we walked,

our arms around each other

– and you saying you loved me!

I know just one thing:

you will not forget me.

*

I gave you all that I had:

my love, without deceit.

Today fear has overcome you

and we are like strangers.

*

But if some day you were to

recover your reason

and overcome this fear, remember:

I have nothing to forgive you for;

we will again be as one.

_____

Taan a bin

In wojel ta bin, mixbik’in suunakech,

ma’alob xen ta beel, min tuklil in k’áastikech,

in dzíibolale’, ka’a anchak máax yaakuntikech,

wa le ka tuklil, le te’e ku binitiktech.

*

Ma’tuklil tyo’lal, wa kin p’áatal tin juunal,

kex mixmáak yaanten, ka’a páatak u náayskinwóol,

ma’ táan u páajtal, in k’at-óoltik u laak’ ba’al,

xi iktech ma’alobil x-ch’úupal ki’imakchak a wóol.

*

Kex túun yajtin wóol, tyo’lal tun tan a p’atken

ma’ tin tuklaje’, wa bey ken a beetiten,

tyo’lal óotzilen, lebeetik ma’ yakuntken,

wa túun ta bine’, mix u suut a wich ti’ ten.

*

In k’áat-óolale’, xi’iktech yéeten ya’ab utzil,

tumen tin wicho’obe’ táan u yalkab u ja’il,

tyo’lal mixbik’in bin suunaken in wilech,

tu xu’upul in wiik’, tu bin xan in kuxtalil.

*

Teche’  táan a bin.  Tene’kin p’áatal.

_____

Te vas

Yo sé que te vas y no regresarás.

Si, prosigue tu camino, que no te detendré.

Ojalá haya quien te quiera,

si acaso eso te falta.

*

No pienses que si quedo solo

no tendré a nadie que me consuele.

¿Que más pudo desear para ti?

Que estés bien, que seas dichosa.

*

Me lastima que te alejes,

pues nunca pensé que esto hicieras.

Si por mi pobreza te vas,

ni siquiera a mirarme vuelvas.

*

Pero deseo que te vaya bien.

Corren lágrimas ahora en estos ojos

que nunca te volverán a ver.

Se me acaba el aire junto con mi vida.

*

Te vas, yo me quedo.

_____

You Are Leaving

I know that you are leaving and will not return.

Yes, follow your path, I won’t stop you.

I hope there will be someone to love you,

if that is what you need.

*

Don’t think that if I am left alone

I won’t have anyone to console me.

What more can I wish you

– but that you be well, be happy?

*

It hurts me that you are going away,

since I never thought you would.

If you are leaving because I’m poor,

don’t even look back.

*

But I hope things go well for you.

Tears now run from these eyes

that will never see you again.

My breath and my life are running out…

*

You are leaving,  I am staying.

_____

Traducciones del maya al español y inglés:

Translations from Maya into Spanish and English:

©  Carlos Montemayor,  Donald Frischmann,  2004


Bob Marley: ¡Despierten y Vivan! / Wake Up and Live!

Bob Marley in the 1970s

“Wake up and Live!”

Wake up and live, y’all,

Wake up and live,

Wake up and live now,

Wake up and live!

*

Me say:  Life is one big road with lots of signs,

So when you riding through the ruts,

Don’t you complicate your mind.

Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy,

Don’t bury your thoughts

– put your vision to reality, yeah!

*

All together now:

Wake up and live, y’all,

Wake up and live,

Wake up and live now,

Wake up and live!

*

Rise, ye mighty people,

There’s work to be done.

So let’s do it, a little by little.

Rise from your sleepless slumber, yeah!

We’re more than sand on the seashore,

We’re more than numbers.

*

All together now:

Wake up and live, y’all,

Wake up and live,

Wake up and live now,

Wake up and live!

*

Woah, one-one cocoa full a basket,

When you use to live big today –

tomorrow you buried in a casket.

One-one cocoa full a basket, yeah,

When you use to live big today –

Tomorrow:  buried in a casket!

*

All together now:

Wake up and live, y’all,

Wake up and live,

Wake up and live now,

Wake up and live!

_____

¡Despierten y Vivan!

 

Despierten y vivan, todos ustedes,

Despierta y vive,

Despierta y vive ahora,

Despierta y vive!

*

Digo: La vida es un camino grande con un montón de signos,

Así que cuando montas a caballo a través de los surcos,

no te complicas la mente.

Huid de odio, maldad y los celos –

No entierres los pensamientos,

ponga su visión en realidad, ¡sí!

*

Despierten y vivan, todos ustedes,

Despierta y vive,

Despierta y vive ahora,

Despierta y vive!

*

Aumenten, ustedes-los-poderosos,

Hay trabajo por hacer,

Así que vamos a hacerlo, poco a poco.

Aumente del sueño sin dormir, sí, sí,

Somos mucho más que arena en la orilla del mar,

Somos mucho más que unos números.

*

Todos juntos ahora:

Despierten y vivan, todos ustedes,

Despierta y vive,

Despierta y vive ahora,

¡Despierta y vive!

*

¿No lo ves?  Una pila de cacao en una canasta,

Cuando estás viviendo “a lo grande” hoy día –

Mañana, ¡serás enterrado en un ataúd!

¿No lo ves?  Una pila de cacao en una canasta,

Cuando estás viviendo “a lo grande” hoy día –

Mañana, ¡serás enterrado en un ataúd!

*

Todos juntos ahora:

Despierten y vivan, todos ustedes,

Despierta y vive,

Despierta y vive ahora,

¡Despierta y vive!

_____

Letras de una canción de 1979 – del poeta-músico

jamaicano Robert Nesta Marley a.k.a. Bob Marley

(6 febrero, 1945 – mayo 1981)

Traducción del inglés al español:  Alexander Best

*

Song lyrics from 1979 by Jamaican poet and musician

Robert Nesta Marley a.k.a. Bob Marley

(February 6th, 1945 – May 1981)

Translation into Spanish:  Alexander Best

_____