To the Colón Park of Aguadilla

Today, in our ongoing series of poems by Pedro (Pellín) Rodríguez Miranda, my grandfather-in-law, we feature his twelfth poem, “To the Colón Park of Aguadilla,” written in December 1947. I’m adding a picture of the park so you can get a sense of the place and imagine what the poet saw and experienced.

Parque Colón – Source: PuertoRico.com
Al Parque Colón de Aguadilla

¡Oh memorable parque de Aguadilla!
Tú que llevas el nombre de aquel gran Almirante,
Tan pobre que te encuentras y aun tan pobre, 
Mistico loor rindes al visitante.

Cuando más descuidado, mayor es tu belleza,
Pues atraes corazones que se quieren
Y recuerdas amores que se llevan;
Tú guardas alegrias y tristezas
De corazones solos, llenos de fortaleza.

Amor se encierra en ti, risas y cantos
De chicuelos saltando por tus bancos,
Gozo y algarabía de estas almas
Que no sienten dolor, porque son sanas.

Tus árboles frondosos, siempre verdes,
Susurran cuando pasa el caminante;
Tus frescas auras suave lo acarician
Llenando sus pulmones con saludable brisa.

Si lleno de tristezas va a tus playas,
El vaivén de las olas lo entretienen;
En el bello panorama de tus montes
Ve la visión de amantes ilusiones.

Si es una pareja que se quiere,
Perfumas con tus aires el ambiente;
Le brindas el rumor de tus palmeras
Al amante fiel, que paciente espera
Bajo el cocotero, en lo que ella llega.

Este es el grato recuerdo que yo guardo
Desde los tiernos años de mi infancia,
De este Parque Colón que es fiel testigo
De mi primer amor, y mis delirios.

Diciembre 1947
To the Colón Park of Aguadilla

Oh memorable park of Aguadilla! 
You who bear the name of that great Admiral, 
So poor you find yourself and still so poor, 
Mystical praise you render to the visitor.

The more neglected you are, the greater your beauty, 
For you attract hearts that seek each other 
And recall loves that are taken; 
You keep joys and sorrows 
Of solitary hearts, filled with strength.

Love is enclosed within you, laughter and songs 
Of children jumping on your benches, 
Joy and boisterousness of these souls 
Who feel no pain, for they are innocent.

Your lush, ever-green trees 
Whisper when the passerby walks by; 
Your fresh breezes gently caress them 
Filling their lungs with healthy air.

If filled with sadness, one goes to your shores, 
The ebb and flow of the waves entertain them; 
In the beautiful panorama of your mountains 
They see the vision of lovers' illusions.

If it is a couple who loves each other, 
You perfume the air with your breezes; 
You offer the murmur of your palms 
To the faithful lover, who patiently waits 
Under the coconut tree, until she arrives.

This is the pleasant memory that I keep 
From the tender years of my childhood, 
Of this Colón Park that is a faithful witness 
To my first love, and my deliriums.

December 1947

Translated by Edward Ortiz
Previous Poems:
1. Young Love
2. To Jelly
3. Message of Love
4. Subtle Dream
5. Honeymoon Journey
6. That is Love
7. Nostalgia
8. Sad Christmas
9. A Verse for You
10. You Arrived
11. Letter to My Wife

About the Author:

Pedro Rodríguez Miranda was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on 22 February 1930. He completed his primary and secondary education in Puerto Rico before moving to New York City to attend college when the Korean War started. He joined the Marine Corps and served four years, completing his enlistment and receiving an honorable discharge. After his service, he returned to New York City and attended college, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he worked for the city until 1965 when he returned to Puerto Rico. He worked as a high school teacher in Aguadilla and completed his second Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez.

51 thoughts on “To the Colón Park of Aguadilla”

  7. Very beautiful, as always! It’s always a delight to read Pedro (Pellín) Rodríguez Miranda’s poems. Soulful and loveful!! Thank you, my friend, for giving us the opportunity to receive these jewels! *Light and blessings to you*

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  15. I can see how your grandfather got so much inspriation from this beautiful spot and of course his words. The last line is so touching.. “Of this Colón Park that is a faithful witness
    To my first love, and my deliriums” Edward.. How’s your next poem coming along? 💗

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    1. Thank you, Cindy. Well, my next poem is in the mental stage. I have a weird process where everything that I write is put together in my head first, and then I start writing it on paper. I’m saving it for October, a special month in the Ortiz’s household.

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        1. Yes, many times, and the area is beautiful. My wife is from Aguadilla, and according to her, Aguadilla has the best beaches in Puerto Rico (I kind of agree 😁). I was looking for some of the pictures I took the last time I was there but couldn’t find them on my computer.

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