Sunday Afternoon

Salvador, the afternoon sunlight is folding around us,

the dishes are done,

the buildings here, tall as our mountains

sliced through the windows and cut off the sun.

on such days i find i am longing for puerto rico

though i never would return 'til you are free

but when i hear the aguinaldo my heart's a little lighter

and we danced together aurea and me

in my life i've been unlucky with two husbands

gumersindo liked his rum and women friends

then that hypocrite who beat you and preached about repentance

has gone, and so another sunday ends

and tomorrow is another hard working monday

i'm still hoping for the raise they promised me

there's a job as operator

i would not have to wait for

if i could speak the language easily

but i tell aurea

the barrio's boundaries are our own little nation

sometimes i hear you run up stairs

and i view my light with resignation

keep your bible near you

time is an ocean of endless tears.