Jan 26 El Limonar/The Lemon tree.. a song - Ottawa

Al saber que muy pronto ibas a volver,
la fuente silenciosa empezó a cantar,
el limonar del patio a reverdecer,
y el jazmín de la huerta volvió a aromar.

Al saber que muy pronto ibas a volver,
florecieron las rosas en el rosal;
y hasta la enredadera de tu balcón,
abrió ya sus capullos todos en flor.

Y están los naranjales llenos de azahar,
y las palmeras vuelven a suspirar,
tiene la primavera una nueva luz,
y es por que ya muy pronto regresas tú



This is a "Danza" song by Colombian composer Rafael Barros became my family's anthem for who knows what reason. There is no celebration where El Limonar is not requested.

The song says, not in a literal translation, that "as soon as I heard the news you were coming back, the silent fountain began to sing, the lemon grove in the backyard turned greener, and the jasmine flowers in the orchard released their fragrance. As soon as I heard the news you were coming back, the roses in the rose bush bloomed, and even the ivy hanging from the balcony had its buds flower. The orange groves are blossoming, and the palm trees are sighing, there is a new light for this Spring day, and it is all because you will soon return".

Lovely words... Share

Jan 16 A Leon de Greiff Feeling - Ottawa

It is a quiet Saturday in Ottawa. I've been listening to Juanes all day. Leon de Greiff, Colombian poet, visited my mind this afternoon, and his voice called me from within... to recite his poem Relato de Sergio Stepansky. Leon de Greiff was born in Medellin, Colombia at the turn of the 20th century. His work has an invaluable legacy. I had to learn the Relato in the 8th grade for my Spanish class. Quite nervous about making a mistake when speaking, and not knowing where to place my hands, I decided to accompany it with a guitar arpeggio. It saved me and it helped me get the best grade I've ever been awarded, an 11 over 10. I visited Leon's marvelous poem again during my first year at University, and played it once more with the support of my guitar. Many years later, alone at this lonely hotel suite, I recited it again... in a different format.

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