
April 29, 2020
A piece by Srisaravana
La Llorona
Stay for as long as the words ask you to.
begin readingtake a breath · read slowly
I see the flowers withering, Llorona,
The cold wind sweeps them away,
The leaves and stems are so empty, Llorona,
Come at once to collect them, Llorona, Llorona,
There’s darkness that surrounds me, Llorona,
Like a burned coal mixes with the air,
It has consumed me to the core, Llorona,
You are my absolution, Llorona, Llorona,
They say I bring the calamity, Llorona,
Destruction above all laid,
Even the full moon will hide from the sight, Llorona,
Take me to the river and show me Llorona, Llorona,
My eyes are filled with sorrow, Llorona,
No more butterflies of colors flip their wings,
A dune of pale sand desert grows in me, Llorona,
Come with the rain and drizzle me, Llorona, Llorona,
I wander in the woods and the lakes, Llorona,
Looking for a white gown of a woman weeping,
To give my will freely to your salvation, Llorona,
Hold me in your arms as I pass into thee, Llorona, Llorona,
If your wailing needs life to be taken, Llorona,
Let another child live with joy and meaning,
Take my wasted soul without falter, Llorona,
Let us go into the void of salvation, Llorona, Llorona.