Maria Hofman

Duérmase mi niña, caveza de ayote.
The baby will one day learn to sleep without song.
Si no te dormis, tel come’l coyote.

She will learn the words
and wish for days when she knew less.
Duérmase mi niña, caveza de ayote.

Like her mother, she will smile as she dreams,
for she shares her dreams with the one who sang,
Si no te dormis, tel come’l coyote.

Her head is full of thoughts, seeds of a pumpkin
to be planted, consumed, prayed over.
Duérmase mi niña, caveza de ayote.

We should not worry about tomorrow.
They say it has worries of its own.
Si no te dormis, tel come’l coyote.

Now is the time to dream and sing, recuerda;
remember your mother’s voice, her whispered song:
Duérmase mi niña, caveza de ayote.
Si no te dormis, tel come’l coyote.