Children Playing in a Square by a Fountain, Antonio Machado

In songs of the past
on the lips of the children,
confused is the story
but clear is the pain,
as clear as the water,
preserving the wisdom
of lovers whose names
now no longer remain.

They played in the square
where the old men were watching
whose voices once too
held the ancient refrain;
the splash of the fountain
repeated the cadence;
confused is the story
but clear is the pain.

They sang at their games
of the sorrows of lovers,
events unexpected
or looked-for in vain,
of tears without bitterness,
smiles without laughter;
confused is the story
but clear is the pain.

The shadows grew darker.
The children dispersed.
Their homes promised supper;
the sky threatened rain.
The fountain continued
repeating the cadence.
It washed out the story,
recounted the pain.

- Antonio Machado, “Yo escucho los cantos”, 1907