Translated to English by Richard Gabela on April 9, 2024, from the original work “Muchachita de mi Barrio” by Inés Márquez Moreno (1914–2017) of Cuenca, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “Little Girl from My Neighborhood.”
Little Girl from My Neighborhood
Little girl, so sad,
Your fifteen years of pink,
They beg for love;
You wander through life
Dressed in mourning,
With a white bodice
Over small breasts
And lips that claim
Not knowing how to kiss.
Your cheeks, pale
Like half moons,
Suffer the fainting
Of waves in the sea…!
Musical, light,
You steal from the evening
Its twilight glow,
And at night you wait,
Head bowed and alone,
For the stars
To grant you clarity.
How beautiful you appear
In the mornings
When you’ve been kissed by the sun!
And the voice of a dream
That could never be
Whispers in your ear:
“I love you, woman”…!
Translator’s Note: In translating “Muchachita de mi Barrio” by Inés Márquez Moreno, I was captivated by her profound yet straightforward depiction of youthful yearning amidst the realities of growth. Known for her evocative poetry that employs simple language to explore deep emotions, Moreno captures universal themes in a deeply personal way. This poem stood out to me for its poignant portrayal of a young girl’s dreams contrasted with her innocent reality, embodying the essence of Moreno’s poetic style. Through this translation, I hope to honor the spirit and texture of her original work.
Original Spanish Version
Muchachita de mi Barrio
Muchachita triste
Tus quince años rosa,
Te piden amor;
Te vas por la vida
Vestida de duelo,
Con blanco corpiño
De pequeños senos
Y labios que dicen
No saber besar.
Tus mejillas pálidas
Como medias lunas
Tienen los desmayos
De olas en el mar…!
Musical, liviana,
Robas a la tarde
Luz crepuscular,
Y a la noche esperas
Cabizbaja y sola
A que las estrellas
Te den claridad.
Qué bella apareces
Cuando las mañanas
Te ha besado el sol!
Y la voz de un sueño
Que no puede ser
Te dice al oído:
‘Yo te amo, mujer’…!