De ambos lados, ahora

La dama se llama Roberta Joan Anderson, pero para el mundo es Joni Mitchell.

Su música ha sido una constante en mi vida en distintas etapas; en mi niñez (mi tierna e irrecuperable), mi juventud (pálida y temblorosa) y ahora, en mi edad adulta (caótica y formidable).

Me gusta no tanto por su voz o por su melodía, sino por su manejo poético del lenguaje y la manera en que consigue conectarlo con uno y su experiencia.

Creo que una de mis canciones predilectas (y no sólo porque sea suya) es ésta misma: Both sides, now. La pueden oír en el soundtrack del blog y aquí pueden leer la letra de la canción.

Es una de esas extrañas canciones que me hacen una radiografía, revelan mis entretelas y me desnudan en distintas épocas de mi vida, ya todas transcurridas. Sin embargo, no me hacen olvidarme nunca de lo que es el presente ni el anhelo del futuro.

Rows and flows of angel hair

And ice cream castles in the air

And feather canyons everywhere

I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun

They rain and snow on everyone

So many things I would have done

But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides, now

From up and down, and still somehow

It's cloud illusions I recall

I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels

The dizzy dancing way that you feel

As every fairy tale comes real

I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show

You leave 'em laughing when you go

And if you care, don't let them know

Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now

From give and take, and still somehow

It's love's illusions I recall

I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud

To say "I love you" right out loud

Dreams and schemes and circus crowds

I've looked at life that way

Oh but now old friends are acting strange

They shake their heads

They say I've changed

Well something's lost but something's gained

In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now

From win and lose and still somehow

It's life's illusions I recall

I really don't know life at all

Y aún lo pienso así, Joni.