Cuando Yo La Vide

When I Saw Her

When I saw her
it was by the descent of Gaspar Ventura,
she was coming from the river
with her fresh little jug on her waist.

Everything was shaking,
I caught a glimpse of her beautiful calf,
I was left dumbfounded
by the movement of her backside.

When I saw her, oh my God what a mess!
I felt my skin like chicken meat,
having her close made me dizzy,
honestly, my pulses went away.

Her two beautiful eyes,
more than two sparks were two bonfires,
they threw off sparks
like the lightning in Chinandega.
Just by seeing them
something got stuck in my throat
because they were shining
like the black feather of the grackle.
When I saw her...
She was singing
I don't know what tune, when I saw her,
but upon contemplating her,
even my saliva dried up.

I wanted to tell her
'I'll take you, dark-skinned, to the holy altars',
but it was impossible
as all my sides were aching.
When I saw her...