“Songs and Poems for Andres” are Anna’s cries of despair over the loss of her beloved husband, Andres. Her mental state is such that she dives into her guilt, almost relishing her anguish, as she calls to mind the symbol of the bond between Andres and her, the flamenco, their dance of passion and love.

She will bear forever the burden of her self blame for Andres’ death. If only she had insisted that they not take the train for the last leg of their journey to the Spanish border, if only she had followed her instincts and convinced Andres not to trust the well meaning judgment of the French couple who had befriended them and assured them that there were no more Nazi soldiers in the area, Andres and the rest of their Gypsy clan would still be alive.

The poems are an extension of the novel, “Tambourine”, and it is recommended that the story be read in conjunction with them. They are Anna’s expression of hopelessness through Gypsy lament as she suffers in her agony.