Poesía: Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz biographical

Biography from poet.org:  Born on November 12, 1651, (though there is some dispute about the year) in San Miguel Neplantla, Mexico, Juana Inés de Asbaje y Ramírez was the illegitimate daughter of a Spanish father and Creole mother. Her maternal grandfather owned property in Amecameca and Juana spent her early years living with her mother on his estate, Panoaya.

 This video is in rapid Spanish but you can turn on the closed caption (in Spanish) to help you follow along. It may take more than once (I'm still working on it) but it's good listening practice.

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Here is a beautifully read short poem: "Yo no Puedo Tenerte ni Dejarte":

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                                                 Que da medio para amar sin mucha pena.

 

Yo no puedo tenerte ni dejarte,

ni sé por qué, al dejarte o al tenerte,

se encuentra un no sé qué para quererte

y muchos sí sé qué para olvidarte.

 

Pues ni quieres dejarme ni enmendarte,

yo templaré mi corazón de suerte

que la mitad se incline a aborrecerte

aunque la otra mitad se incline a amarte.

 

Si ello es fuerza querernos, haya modo,

que es morir el estar siempre riñendo:

no se hable más en celo y en sospecha,

 

y quien da la mitad, no quiera el todo;

y cuando me la estás allá haciendo,

sabe que estoy haciendo la deshecha.

 

And a translation from a blog with no name of the translator.                          

 

I can't hold you and I can't leave you...

I can't hold you and I can't leave you,
and sorting through the reasons to leave you or hold you,
I find an intangible one to love you,
and many tangible ones to forgo you.

As you won't change, nor let me forgo you,
I shall give my heart a defence against you,
so that half shall always be armed to abhor you,
though the other half be ready to adore you.

Then, if our love, by loving flourish,
let it not in endless feuding perish;
let us speak no more in jealousy and suspicion.

He offers not part, who would all receive ---
so know that when it is your intention
mine shall be to make believe.