Palabras

Words
By José Antonio Labordeta. Original title: Palabras

Words for singing.
Words for laughing.
Words for crying.
Words for living.
Words for screaming.
Words for dying.

We have been messed in syllables and voices
since the very moment of our birth
and, through the days and days,
our ears get full of words, and words.

I baptize you,
justice and injustice.
Communism in China,
oppositions.
My good aunt Fina
wanted me to be a State engineer.

My son, my son:
Why have you sinned?
Alliances to kill.
Cannons for the progress.
Amen, amen, amen.
Rest in peace.