I remember you laughing, with that warm, frank smile
your big brother's sweet voice, teaching me
when I sat to watch you play guitar
how easy was for you to compose those melodies
that I will never forget ....
Such tender eyes, watching the children
the tenderness of your hugs to the old ladies
who came to greet you ..
walking surrounded by humble people
everyone wanted to touch you ...
It was the Chilean people
it was your beloved people
those women who bake the bread
those who rise at dawn
those men who toil under the sun
sitting down to lunch under the trees
singing your songs ...
Those children, tan skin,with black olive eyes smiling
Pachi Here is our future, you used to tell me
caressing their heads as you walked by ..
How often three of us, you, Richard and I
went to Valparaiso to sing, touring roads and streets
of those steep hills in your truck ....
how we laughed thinking" what if the breaks fail"..
somewhere, going down those streets...
They were happy years, my friend
were days of music, brotherhood
where we sat to play guitar
surrounded by ponchos and flutes
Now that you are gone
to sing through the universe,
your music still lives
in all of us who know you, but also in many more who follow your example....
Copyright ©2011 Sonia Paz Baronvine
Poem for my friend Victor Jara
