Castellanos’ Lavanderas del Grijalva (part 2)

Blah, blah, blah. This new system is terrible! I feel like I am learning to speak a new language all over again, ham-stringed by the fact whatever I try comes out in baby-talk. I tried to post things that come out all wonky because I am still using the old system to post.

Anyway, friends, here is yesterday's translation. Cheers!

Lavanderas del Grijalva
Rosario Castellanos

Pañuelo del adiós,
camisa de la boda,
en el río, entre peces
jugando con las olas.
Como un recién nacido
bautizado, esta ropa
ostenta su blancura
total y milagrosa.
Mujeres de la espuma
y el ademán que limpia,
halladme un río hermoso
para lavar mis días.

Washerwomen on the Grijalva
translated by ZJC

A handkerchief for goodbyes,
a wedding chemise,
in the river, among the fishes
dallying in the waves.
Like a child being born
being baptized, these bits of cloth
display their infinite
whiteness, fascinating.
Women of foam
and poise that cleanse,
find me a river of beauty
to scour away my days.

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