For all the sleeping souls...

This is probably one of my favorite poems for many reasons, particularly because I have seen so much passion and potential in those around me throughout my life nearly ground to dust by the rat race of "work for money to eat - tired from work - submit to entertainment - turn off your mind - go to sleep - repeat" cycle. This is for all of you. Rise up and walk! Be great!

Del salón en el ángulo oscuro, 
de su dueña tal vez olvidada, 
silenciosa y cubierta de polvo 
veíase el arpa. 

¡Cuánta nota dormía en sus cuerdas 
como el pájaro duerme en las ramas, 
esperando la mano de nieve 
que sabe arrancarlas! 

¡Ay! pensé; ¡cuántas veces el genio 
así duerme en el fondo del alma, 
y una voz, como Lázaro, espera 
que le diga: "¡Levántate y anda!".


-Gustavo Bécquer

From the sitting room in the dark corner,
perhaps forgotten by its owner,
silent and covered with dust,
one could see the harp.

How many notes rested in its strings
like the bird that sleeps in the branches,
awaiting the hand of snow
that knows how to pluck them.

Oh! - I thought - How often genius,
similarly, sleeps at the bottom of the soul,
and waits for a voice, like Lazarus,
to be told: "Rise up and walk!"