Moments by Jorge Luis Borges
While in Argentina, I came across this inspiring poem. Carpe diem!
Moments
If I could live again my life,
In the next – I’ll try,
- to make more mistakes,
I won’t try to be so perfect,
I’ll be more relaxed,
I’ll be more full – than I am now,
In fact, I’ll take fewer things seriously,
I’ll be less hygienic,
I’ll take more risks,
I’ll take more trips,
I’ll watch more sunsets,
I’ll climb more mountains,
I’ll swim more rivers,
I’ll go to more places – I’ve never been,
I’ll eat more ice creams and less (lime) beans,
I’ll have more real problems – and less imaginary ones,
I was one of those people who live
prudent and prolific lives -
each minute of his life,
Of course that I had moments of joy – but,
if I could go back I’ll try to have only good moments,
If you don’t know – that’s what life is made of,
Don’t lose the now!
I was one of those who never goes anywhere
without a thermometer,
without a hot-water bottle,
and without an umbrella and without a parachute,
If I could live again – I will travel light,
If I could live again – I’ll try to work bare feet
at the beginning of spring till the end of autumn,
I’ll ride more carts,
I’ll watch more sunrises and play with more children,
If I have the life to live – but now I am 85,
- and I know that I am dying …
You can also read the original in Spanish.
Comments (2)
This “poem” has been around for a while. Unfortunately there are serious doubts that it was actually written by Borges. Check http://www.rompecadenas.com.ar/instantes.htm for more information.
Garcia Marquez, the Nobel Price-winning Colombian novelist was also attributed a very similar piece which he rejected.
Fabrice, you must read “el aleph” a story of Borges, its the most incredible literature right in your hands, when you read it its blows your brain. I could not get the english version, but here is the link for the spanish version, hope you know some spanish, if not try to get it in english. Really try to read it, have no words to describe it, so check it out.
http://www.apocatastasis.com/aleph.htm