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Heart of Jade

Heart of Jade

Drawing of an Aztec wake

The Aztec equivalent of “a heart of gold” was “a heart of jade”. Who says the Aztecs were a heartless race? This is a short poem by the poet king Nezahualcoyotl. (Written/compiled by Ian Mursell/Mexicolore)

Nonantzin (Náhuatl)

Nonantzin: Ihcuac nehhuatl nimiquiz motlecuilpan xinechtoca, ihuan quemman ticchihuaz motlaxcal xinechchoquiliz.

Tla aca mitztlatlaniz nonantzin: tleica tichocaz xicnanquili: in cuahuitl xoxouhqui ihuan in poctli nechchoctia

Madrecita (Spanish)

Madrecita: Cuando yo muera entiérrame en tu fogón y cuando hagas tus tortillas llora por mí

Si alguien te pregunta: madrecita, ¿por qué lloras? Contéstale, la leña está verde y el humo me hace llorar

Dear Mother (English)

Dear Mother: when I die, bury me in your stove and when you make tortillas cry for me.

If anyone asks, why are you crying? Answer them, the wood is damp and the smoke is making me cry.

By Nezahualcoyotl (with thanks to Profa. Ruth Flores, Mexico City)

To hear and ‘feel’ something of the melancholy that is embedded in this simple poem, follow the link below to hear Yolanda Matías García read her own ‘Dear Mother’ poem, spoken first in Náhuatl from Guerrero and then in Spanish, both to gentle guitar accompaniment. The poet speaks of the unconditional love she received through her mother’s dedicated care, devotion and constant sacrifices, sharing a lifetime’s moments of pain as well as happiness.

NOTE (2013): To contact Yolanda by email, and/or to request a copy of her CD {link:urlmailto:elnahuatlenlacultura@hotmail.com{link:textclick here.{link

Listen to Yolanda reading her poem ‘Madrecita’See and hear Yolanda read her poem ‘Y aquí estoy’ on Youtube

Comments (3)

Y

Yolanda Matías García

5th Jan 2013

Gracias por sus palabras bellas que me llenan de ánimo. Mi unico gran deseo es llegar al alma de cada uno y de cada una de ustedes para florecerla. Un afectuoso abrazo.

M

Mexicolore

Muchas gracias, y muchos saludos cordiales, Yolanda. ¡Nos encanta tu poesía!

G

Gustavo Victoriano

4th Jan 2013

Les invitamos para que alimenten su alma con la poesía náhuatl de la poetisa guerrerense Yolanda Matías García.
Agradeceremos lo reenvien a sus amistades.
http://poesianahuatlyolandamatiasgarcia.blogspot.mx/
Esa es la dirección del blog.
La de youtube es la siguiente:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erOi2EBKZIc
Saludos
Gustavo Victoriano

M

Mexicolore

¡Muchas gracias, Gustavo - y muchas felicitaciones, Yolanda! Lindísima poesía. Esperamos que se difunda ampliamente...
Beautiful poetry to listen to, in Náhuatl and Spanish. RECOMMENDED.

I

Ixtzul

15th Jan 2009

I would like to buy the CD by Yolanda Matias Garcia-Palabra florida para tu corazon, how can I purchase a copy?

M

Mexicolore

The webpage gives the following information, (in Spanish): The CD is available from: Álvaro Obregón 275-8. Col Roma. México, D. F., or write to: erixoproducciones@yahoo.com.mx. Hope this works!

Heart of Jade

Drawing of an Aztec wake

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