La Abuela

The grandmother has a tremor
and in her hand a cane
she had six children in her time
whom she cared for with love.

And today with a sleepy forehead
she drags a thousand gray hairs brought by pain;
she prays the rosary and murmurs under her breath
"in my time everything was better".

She dresses in black and likes sunny days
and on cold mornings she stokes the fire.

She drinks brandy if sorrow comes
and doesn't lose her color;
she kisses the grandchildren, gives advice
and sings with her weak voice.

The grandmother rules the house,
her throne the armchair
and a wool shawl
keeps her warm.

Her forehead is wrinkled
with the beautiful memories of a better time
and in her silent nostalgia
her grandchildren comment: "Grandma cried".