Ay de Mí

Silvio Rodriguez's song 'Ay de Mí' is a poignant exploration of loss, longing, and the passage of time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who feels abandoned and desolate, starting with the imagery of the sun leaving them. This abandonment is not just physical but also emotional, as the sun departs 'without speaking, without saying.' The repetition of 'Ay de mí' underscores the deep sorrow and helplessness felt by the narrator.

The moon, in contrast to the sun, stays with the narrator, offering silent companionship. This juxtaposition highlights the duality of presence and absence in the narrator's life. The moon's quiet presence is a stark reminder of the solitude that the narrator endures. The lyrics then shift to a more personal reflection, where the narrator identifies themselves with the languor and the vastness of a window, symbolizing a sense of being trapped and the vast emptiness they feel.

The song delves deeper into the narrator's internal struggle, acknowledging the aging of their world and the hardening of their hands, metaphorically turning into 'hard flint.' This symbolizes the emotional and physical toll that time and loss have taken on them. Despite the possibility of living, crying, singing, or laughing, the narrator laments their inability to 'caress the truth of your embrace,' indicating a profound yearning for a lost love that they can never fully reclaim.

The desire to make love and find solace in the physical presence of the beloved is expressed with a sense of urgency and desperation. The fear of waking up to find only 'salt' in their palm symbolizes the futility and the transient nature of their desires and dreams. 'Ay de Mí' is a deeply emotional and introspective song that captures the essence of human vulnerability and the enduring pain of unfulfilled love.