Mario Benedetti dies at 88; Uruguayan poet and writer

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“Men like Mario never die,” Uruguay President Tabare Vazquez told reporters.

“When I have worries, fears or a love affair, I have the luck of being
able to transform it into a poem,” said Benedetti, the son of Italian
immigrants.


Little Stones At My Window

Once in a while
joy throws little stones at my window
it wants to let me know that it’s waiting for me
but today I’m calm
I’d almost say even-tempered
I’m going to keep anxiety locked up
and then lie flat on my back
which is an elegant and comfortable position
for receiving and believing news

who knows where I’ll be next
or when my story will be taken into account
who knows what advice I still might come up with
and what easy way out I’ll take not to follow it

don’t worry, I won’t gamble with an eviction
I won’t tattoo remembering with forgetting
there are many things left to say and suppress
and many grapes left to fill our mouths

don’t worry, I’m convinced
joy doesn’t need to throw any more little stones
I’m coming
I’m coming.