Filial Obedience

-You told me to stay away from men,          

      And I have done that;

Except when the sun goes down

I talk to Rogelio on the road….

-Oh?.....and what does he say?...-that he loves me…

     But I don’t say anything;

-and then?....-he holds my hands a little,

Or gives me a little kiss on the cheek…

-Ah ha!....I see… so that’s all

   the rascal does to you?

Don’t hang around that place any more,

Because you’re in danger my child….

-Men have always been that way!....they speak

     Sweet nothings,

And they deceive naïve girls like you

Leading them off meekly to ruin.

-Mama. …for goodness sake! Don’t worry…that boy

    Speaks sincerely!....

And if he comes to meet me, he lifts me up bodily

When the road is muddy

-That’s a part of his scheme…as a girl

   The same happened to me …

Tie four knots in your flower, my child,

And never forget what I have told you…

The next day early in the morning

    the girl got caught…

The sun found her far away, without flowers,

In the tender arms of danger….

Never has the advice of old women

Served any better than in this case…

When love strikes the youthful breast, filial obedience ends.

-Candelario Obeso