Yo Netzhualcoyotl pregunto:
¿Acaso de veras se vive con raíz en la tierra?
No para siempre en la tierra:
Solo un poco aquí.
Aunque sea de oro se rompe,
Aunque sea plumaje de quetzal se desgarra
No para siempre en la tierra:
Solo un poco aquí.
Miguel Leon-Portilla, Trece poetas del mundo azteca
I, Nezahualcoyotl, I ask you:
Is it true that we have roots in the earth?
Surely, we are not here forever?
Only for a time are we here!
Though you are carved in jade you will break
Though you are made of gold you will crack
Though you are a quetzal feather you will wither
Only for a time are we here.