Sul bordo del fiume [English translation]

I've seen many things passing

sitting on the riverside;

"you have no constancy, you're good for nothing"

my father said, there on the stream;

he wore his hat on white hair,

he rowed strongly in a shirt full of sweat.

"Just let him go, you're too impatient"

my mother said, there on the stream,

her reclined head, her distant gaze,

she prayed and she cried thinking she was a saint,

and the river ran and the boat was old,

they went further over the stream.

And all of a sudden the dearest friend passes,

swimming fast but against the current,

and his teeth are whiter for a large smile,

or maybe it is only an angry frown,

while clutching a long knife's blade,

or it is a feather wither than a bird's,

and he asked: "why don't you dive in, brother".

She wore her hair inside a napkin,

and the woods laughed from within her eyes,

she moved her hands caressing her thoughts

while I was imprisoning her warden;

on her white body, a valley of peace,

a straw fire burning forever;

I was violating her heat, not yet burned,

and I was not listening to her sweet prayer:

"You won't find nothing if you look into the river,

you'll only see your face in a reflection."

Her hand moves in a slight wave,

but I, desperate, am not staying this time.