White-faced Youth

Juventud de Rostro Pálido

White-faced Youth

La Victrola tocaba sin parar.The Victrola played steadily.
A su lado estabaBeside it sat
Un joven de rostro pálido, con un sombrero desgastadoA white-faced youth, with a battered hat
Inclinado sobre su desaliñada cabeza.Aslant on his frowsy, dishevelled head.
Obviamente, deseaba estar muerto.Obviously, he wished he were dead.
Permanecía encorvado, mirando fijamente la paredHe sat hunched over, staring at the wall
Con ojos que no veían la pared en absoluto.With eyes that saw no wall at all.
Con la mitad de un gran pie manteníaWith half of one large foot he kept
El ritmo de la música.The music's rhythm.
Lloraba.He wept.
El disco seguía sonando.The record played on.
Cada vez que terminaba,Each time it ended,
Miraba sorprendido: muy ofendido.He would look up startled: greatly offended.
Entonces se levantabaHe would then rise
Con los ojos llorosos.With streaming eyes.
Con cuidado,Carefully,
Con un rostro de dolor,With a face of pain,
Reiniciaba la misma melodía una y otra vez.He would start the same tune over again.