Saturday, February 2, 2013

Dawn Translation

Look into the sky. Little flakes of snow hurriedly swirl down to the ground to melt away into nothingness.  On a wet, dank cobbled street they are forgotten.
Mira al cielo. Pequeños copos de nieve se arremolinan apresuradamente hacia el suelo para desaparecer en la nada. En una calle mojada, húmeda, adoquinada, se olvidan.

This morning a sworn translator will take my life's accomplishments, in the professional sense, and translate them into documentation that hopefully can be understood in the fabric of Spanish life and have meaning in the way of my becoming a more significant part of society.
Esta mañana un traductor jurado tomará los logros de mi vida, en el sentido profesional, y los traducirá en la documentación que se espera pueda ser entendida en el entramado de la vida española y signifiquen el camino de mi conversión en una parte significativa más de la sociedad.

I pray and my mind says to trust our Lord, but my heart beats irregularly this morning. No caffeine needed to feel the adrenaline, pure stress rushing through my veins as I glance over every class, degree and credential splayed out on the table. Since last night I've dreaded thinking that whole periods of sweat and grind over the years might end up inconsequential, just unimportant details, stamps and seals on paper.
Yo rezo y mi mente me dice confíe en el Señor, pero mi corazón late de forma irregular esta mañana. Nada de cafeína ha sido necesaria para sentir el estrés, la adrenalina pura, corriendo por mis venas mientras miro sobre cada clase, título y credencial extendido sobre la mesa. Desde anoche he temido que los períodos enteros de sudor y molienda pueda ser que terminen como detalles sin importancia, estampillas y sellos en papel, sin consecuencias.

As natural as breathing, so many thrust forward toward something better, some in the coal-mining hills, some in the street, all around me.  They push for an education. They are driven, just as I was, just as my children are, just as are all the many sons and daughters of college-less fathers. Now I wonder, however, if that promising warm bread of academia and experience will fall off the table like so many crumbs to the floor?
Tan natural como respirar, así muchos presionan hacia delante, hacia algo mejor, algunos en las colinas de minería de carbón, algunos en la calle, muchos a mi alrededor. Empujan por una educación. Ellos se sienten impulsados, como yo, al igual que mis hijas e hijos, al igual que tantos hijos de padres no universitarios. Ahora me pregunto, sin embargo, ¿ese pan caliente prometedor del mundo académico y la experiencia se cae de la mesa, como tantas migas al suelo?

Or, perhaps a surprise, like a cinnamon sticky bun, awaits. Maybe balcony sunshine will illuminate this morning's grey dense fog and the snowy sky with light and hope changing feared disappointment into an open schoolroom door.  I pause. I yearn. A new school,  classrooms,  expectant young people... may it be so.
O, quizás espera una sorpresa como un bollo de canela. Quizás el sol del balcón iluminará esta niebla gris y densa y el cielo cubierto de la mañana con luz y esperanza cambiando la desilusión temida a una puerta de aula abierta.  Hago una pausa. Anhelo. Una nueva escuela, clases, jóvenes preparados para aprender... Que así sea.

5 comments:

  1. Oh I am praying for you!! To have you as a teacher? Heaven. :)

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  2. I am also hoping/praying that it all goes well for you dear friend.

    But to worry is usual but unhelpful, nothing can be changed by worry. Believe as do we your grateful fans and all the children who's lives that you have touched will speak volumes for your hopes. You are more than good enough, despite whatever is said by a stamp on a page.
    Ruego que todo pasar bien amiga.

    Oh and I saw your comments on Chantels' blog which reminded me how I have missed reading yours recently. Disculpame...

    Loads of love n light.

    Huge hugs.
    Peaceful Warrior. x

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    Replies
    1. PW, You are the kind of wonderful guy that makes a gal smile after a long day. Thank you for the encouragement. You are quite right. Besos desde el Camino.

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