God Bless the Sent One

It has been a while since I last posted a poem from my grandfather-in-law, Pedro Rodríguez Miranda. Today, I’m posting a beautiful poem that he wrote for his amazing great-granddaughter, Aneris. The poem is titled God Bless the Sent One and is from the Love Poems in Old Age section of his book.

Aneris is a very smart and strong young woman, and we had the privilege of attending her graduation from the University of Texas at Austin last year. The family loves her deeply, and I hope my translation honors Pedro’s precise wording. 

Dios Bendiga La Enviada
(A mi biznieta Aneris)

En los etéreos contornos,
En moradas celestiales,
Dios prepara una emisaria
Que bajará prestamente
A reunirse con sus padres.

Traerá divinos mensajes
Para la familia humana,
Y será de amor el manto
Para detener la espada
Que pende en nuestro entornos
Y amenaza nuestra Raza.

Será mensajera de Paz,
Ungida y predestinada;
Dios la envía desde Allá,
Por la falta que hace acá
Un mensaje de Bondad,
Fe, Esperanza y Caridad.

Dios Bendiga la Enviada…
God Bless the Sent One

(To my great-granddaughter Aneris)

In the ethereal outlines,

In celestial dwellings,

God prepares an emissary

Who will swiftly descend

To reunite with her parents.

She will bring divine messages

For the human family,

And love will be her mantle

To halt the sword

That hangs around us

And threatens our Race.

She will be a messenger of Peace,

Anointed and predestined;

God sends her from Afar,

For the need that exist here

Of a message of Kindness,

Faith, Hope, and Charity.

God bless the Sent One…

(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
12. To the Colón Park of Aguadilla
13. Legend of the Flamboyant
14. Evolution of Love
15. Liza
16. The Old Tree

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.

46 thoughts on “God Bless the Sent One”

    1. Thank you, Terry. He is from a generation of Puerto Ricans that felt a deep love for the Spanish language and expressed it through poetry and storytelling. We have lost some of that affection, but my hope is that we will return to it because it was a wonderful era.

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  7. For the need that exists here…
    As a kid hearing these words from her grandfather, it must have placed such a significance on her life. It’s a beautiful poem, Edward.
    Reminiscent of the word to Esther by her uncle Mordecai..”for such a time as this”
    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You’re welcome, Nigel. Excellent point about Esther. “…I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” A beautiful picture of her strength and Aneris is already showing her strong character and strength.

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  9. Wonderful poem! And such a great blessing! By her own great-grandfather! Aneris is blessed beyond measure and for life! And is and will be a blessing to many— Traerá divinos mensajes
    Para la familia humana.” Very touching and profound, more than realized so far! Thank you for this beautiful moment, Edward! Pedro’s poetry is always a delight! Light and blessings to all—you, Pedro*, and Aneris!

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    1. Thank you so much, Mary. She was the first of all his great-grandchildren to finish college—and with an engineering degree. I’ve witnessed her character over the years, and her energy will be felt by many.

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