To Granada, my homeland, in this summer full of trips and emotions...these words from a poem by Antonio Carvajal are perfect.
...Mis ojos se acomodan
al trenzado mudéjar y a la estría
renacentista y mi palabra tiene
son de Guadalquivir, rumor de Betis.
Las ruinas corrigen mi memoria
y el convivir me nutre de otras gentes:
No me puedo afirmar si miro fuera,
no me sé definir si toco dentro...
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My eyes hark back
To that Moslem with the braided hair
And to that Renaissance trait, my speech
Has the sound of the Guadalquivir,
The Andalusian lilt, the murmur of Betis.
The ruins correct my memory, and it is revived
By living among other peoples.
I cannot see myself if I look outside,
I cannot define myself if I reach within...
Antonio Carvajal, Reflexiones de un español perplejo ,III, 14-21 verses
