Brillo En La Mano

Enrique Bunbury's song 'Brillo En La Mano' delves into the themes of absence, transience, and the ephemeral nature of existence. The lyrics open with the line 'Locura es estar ausente,' which translates to 'Madness is to be absent.' This sets the tone for the song, suggesting that the absence of presence or consciousness is akin to madness. The imagery of 'Humo es todo lo que queda' ('Smoke is all that remains') further emphasizes the fleeting and insubstantial nature of life and identity. Smoke, a common metaphor for something that dissipates quickly, underscores the idea that what remains of us is intangible and elusive.

The line 'De mí en la página que no hay' ('Of me on the page that isn't there') introduces a sense of existential void. It suggests that the narrator's essence or identity is missing from the narrative of life, as if they are a ghostly presence in a story that doesn't exist. This could be interpreted as a reflection on the futility of trying to leave a lasting mark on the world, as everything eventually fades away.

The final lines, 'Cae al suelo mi figura / Y libre de mí se mueve / El papel de pura ausencia' ('My figure falls to the ground / And free of me moves / The paper of pure absence'), paint a vivid picture of detachment and liberation. The narrator's 'figure' falling to the ground symbolizes the collapse of their physical presence, while the 'paper of pure absence' moving freely suggests that true freedom comes from letting go of one's physical and material attachments. This can be seen as a meditation on the liberation that comes with accepting the transient nature of existence and embracing the void.