Cuando un amigo se va [English translation]

When a friend goes away

an empty space remains

that cannot be filled by

the arrival of another friend.

When a friend goes away,

a burning ember remains

that it is not possible to extinguish

even with the waters of a river.

When a friend goes away,

a star has got lost,

the one that illuminates the place

where there is a sleeping child.

When a friend goes away

the ways stop

and it begins rebelling,

the meek poltergeist of the wine.

When a friend goes away

galloping his destination,

the soul begins to vibrate

because it is filled with cold.

When a friend goes away,

an uncultivated area remains

that the time wants to fill

with the stones of the tedium.

When a friend goes away,

a fallen tree remains

that does not sprout again

because the wind has conquered it.

When a friend goes away

an empty space remains

that cannot be filled by

the arrival of another friend.

• Artist:Alberto Cortez
• Album:El compositor, El Cantante (1969)