El Joven Aprendiz de Pintor

The Young Apprentice Painter

The young apprentice painter who just yesterday
Swore that my paintings were his catechism
Today, seeing that the public is starting to take notice
No longer says that I paint as well as Picasso

Instead, the neighbor who never greeted me
Every time chance or the elevator brought us together
Came yesterday to tell me that my latest novel
Excites her more than all of Camilo José Cela

And what about the bold and determined manager
Who didn't receive me, who was always in meetings?
Today, wagging his tail, he approached like a dog
To ask to have a part in this funeral

And I told him: No
No, no, no, no, no, no
The daisy is already withered
That in the past I have plucked

The clumsy bullfighter who until yesterday claimed
That no one surpassed me with the banderillas
Now that I cut ears and the audience applauds
No longer says that I belt as well as Antoñete

Even Caballé, who denied me her favors
The diva who cared so little for singer-songwriters
Called to say: I owe you
Your Madrid is cooler than Rodrigo's Aranjuez

And what about the critic who accuses me indignantly
Of playing too much Russian roulette?
If I hadn't taken risks, maybe he would accuse me
Of being left hanging on Melancholy Street

And that's just not true
No, no, no, no, no, no
The daisy is already withered
That in the past I have plucked