Mandarinas - Victor Heredia

Recuerdo: cuando niño

robaba mandarinas,

redondeces de oro

que una dulce vecina

cuidaba de mis garras

-mis garras asesinas-

como quien cuida el tiempo

que no arruine la vida.

Yo esquivaba en la siesta

la leve ligustrina,

sobornando a su perro

con sobras de cocina,

y entraba al terrenito

de Doña Catalina,

que dormía su sueño

tras pesadas cortinas.

Alzaba mi tesoro

y escalaba la encina,

después, con un silbido,

le avisaba a Cristina

y comíamos juntos,

y ella a veces reía

con risa transparente y fulgor de aguamarina.

Silbo de vez en cuando

para ver que sucede

aunque hace tantos años

que talaron la encina,

y aunque no me lo crean

a veces siento risas,

y un perfume en el aire,

como de mandarinas…

I remember: when I was a child

stole tangerines,

rounds of gold

what a sweet neighbor

took care of my claws

-my killer claws-

like someone who takes care of time

don't ruin life.

I dodged in the nap

the slight privet,

bribing his dog

with kitchen leftovers,

and he entered the field

of Dona Catalina,

that she slept her sleep

behind heavy curtains.

I raised my treasure

and climbed the oak,

then, with a whistle,

she warned Cristina

and we ate together

and she sometimes laughed

with transparent laughter and aquamarine radiance.

I whistle from time to time

to see what happens

even though so many years ago

who cut down the oak,

and even if you don't believe me

sometimes I feel laughter,

and a perfume in the air,

like tangerines...