Mama’ re’ yinb’enäq chik

Ixïm ak’u’x  ja re’ yib’e’ qa apo awik’in
chuqa’ awik’in jeb’ël nutinamit
kinawoyob’ej nutinamit kan tajaqa’ apo ruk’u’x aq’a’,
tarik’ik’ej ri nïm apo’t Kinawoyob’ej
man ti tewïr ri äj q’or
kan taya’ ok jun chik si’ pa q’aq’
tanutz’u’ ok ri aq’a’l
tab’ana’ utzil  tatzapëj ruwi’ ri b’ojoy
richin ke ri’ kan simïl ntel qaq’utu’n,
tab’ij chi re numama’ chi xa jub’a’ chik
xa jub’a’ chik richin yib’e’ qa apo pa ruq’a’,
re’ xa xtinsu’ ri jäb’ tab’ij chi re’
ri jäb’ ri nusaqirsaj rub’onil taq xerëy.

 

I'm coming, Grandfather

 

I’m here now with you, heart of corn, 

with you too, enchanting land

my little town, wait for me with open arms 

wait for me with your huipil spread out, 

don’t let the corn atol get cold 

put another log on the fire

move the oak firebrands

and cover the clay pot please

so that the earth releases its flavor,

tell Grandfather almost 

that I'm almost to his arms

tell him that I will soon dry the rain

that fades the color of his cheeks.

 

Translated by Martha Ventura Plasencia