Once upon a time

A time that was real, A time it was me And all my memories singing. A time it was me and all my father’s songs, A song that was real and makes my day at peace. The song goes like this, The way my father starts: Do not quench the laughs You see to laugh today. Do not hold the song you can recite today. Do not hold those rhythms that bring you joy and peace, For days that will come, we have no songs about. The tears that bring joy—don’t hold them back. Don’t act like men do to show how strong they are. Make joy and have it, Make peace and spread it, For only God knows if that may be your last. Make all your mistakes, and act like a child. Soon enough, you won’t have the time for that. You will be the strength everyone awaits, And that alone will take your songs away. All of this, in summary, plays this rhythm And plays a game of chance: Laugh while you can, do it well. It may be your last—who knows?