Dawn (from Songs of Dzitbalche) - Anonymous

For the traveller

Who is on the road 

If the sun should come 

Here.

Spread your song, little dove, 

In the branches of the ceiba. 

There too are the flycatcher, 

The little yellowbird,

And also the cuckoo;

And there is the mockingbird. 

They all delight the heart, 

The creatures

Of the Father,

God.

So likewise the Mother

Has her creatures,

Such as the little turtle dove, 

The little cardinal,

And also the little canary. 

And there is the hummingbird. 

These

Are they —

The pets, 

The birds 

Of the blessed Mother, 

(Our) Lady.

If this delights the hearts

Among these animals,

Why should it not delight

Our hearts?

If they act

Among themselves

Thus at dawn

From lust for beauty!

Only songs

And play

Pass

Through their thoughts. 

---

Anonymous (18th century) Mexico

Translated by Munro S. Edmonson

Source: The Songs of Dzitbalché A Literary Commetary