I often find the combination of music and drawing irresistible. Sometimes, the visual expression has nothing to do with the music, and at other times, the song may inspire the images. My drawings are an illustrated backdrop to this powerful lament.
I have been drawn to this song since I first heard it as a young person of thirteen! Getting to see the incomparable Mercedes Sosa perform it a couple of times was also pretty awesome! The song is a homage to Argentinian poet Alfonsina Storni (1892-1936) who gave voice to the burgeoning creativity of women in the modernist movement across the Southern Americas. She also spoke to the stifling exclusion of women’s voices in literary and artistic spheres.
For a look at some of her poetry online, you check out:http:// https://allpoetry.com/Alfonsina-Storni
It was written by Argentinian poet and historian Felix Luna and musicalized by composer Ariel Ramirez, popularized by Mercedes Sosa and covered by countless others!
Alfonsina and the sea by Ariel Ramirez
Across the soft sand that the waves lick
Her small footprints are not coming back anymore
Only one path made of sorrow and silence
Reached the deep water
Only one path made of untold sorrows
Reached the foam
Only God knows about the anguish that accompanied you
And about the old pains your voice never told
That caused you to go to sleep, lulled by the song
Of the seashells
The song sung in the depths of the dark sea by
The seashell
You’re going away, Alfonsina
Along with your loneliness
What kind of new poems did you go looking for?
An ancient voice made of wind and salt
Is shattering your soul and taking you away
And you go there, like in a dream
Asleep, Alfonsina, dressed with the sea
Five little mermaids will escort you
Through paths made of seaweed and corals
And phosphorescent sea horses will sing
A round, by your side
And the aquatic dwellers
Will soon play by your side
Dim the light of the lamp a bit for me
Let me sleep in peace, nurse
And if he calls don’t tell him I’m here
Tell him that Alfonsina is not coming back
And if he calls never tell him I’m here
Tell him that I have left
You’re going away, Alfonsina
Along with your loneliness
What kind of new poems did you go looking for?
An ancient voice made of wind and salt
Is shattering your soul and taking you away
And you go there, like in a dream
Asleep, Alfonsina, dressed with the sea
Ear to the Ground 