In further commemoration of the Day of Heroism, we provide an improved translation of a poem of José Valdivia Dominguez, named Jovaldo, who was murdered in the Shining Trenches of Combat in El Frónton on 6, 19, 1986, Originally posted here.
FOR A PLATE OF LENTILS
By Jovaldo
I might be in the minority
find me behind bars;
but I don’t sell my principles
for a plate of lentils
I speak in plain language
I don’t reconcile with traitors;
I rather cut off my tongue
with a single slash.
Let them call me the “old-fashioned”
ultraleftist or childish;
this does not bother me
I feel young.
My ideas are young
and my desire is young;
young today and forever
with the pen and the gun.
They are small-time peddlers
prostitutes without honor;
they undress their conscience
for a shabby favor.
I cannot do the same
my reason stops me from it;
I rather die from hunger
than silence my heart.
I might be in the minority
find me behind bars;
but I don‘ t sell my principles
for a plate of lentils.
POR UN PLATO DE LENTEJAS
Puedo estar en minoria
encontrarme tras las rejas;
más no vendo mis principios
por un plato de lentejas.
Hablo claro sin tapujos
no concilio con traidores;
antes me corto la lengua
de un solo tajo traidores.
Que me llamen los “maduros”
de ultraizquierda o infantil;
eso no me preocupa
yo me siento juvenil.
Juveniles mis ideas
y en mis ansias juvenil;
juvenil ahora y siempre
con la pluma y el fusil.
Allá aquellos mercachifles
prostitutes sin honor;
la desnudan su conciencia
por un misero favor.
Yo no puedo hacer lo mismo
me lo impide la razón;
antes muero en digna hambruna
que acallar mi corazón.
Puedo estar en minoria
encontrarme tras las rejas;
mas no vendo mis principios
por un plato de lentejas.
