Good advice from a Nobel winner.
If I could live again my life,
In the next one – I’d try to make more mistakes,
I wouldn’t try to be so perfect, I’d be more relaxed,
I’d be sillier than I’ve been,
In fact, I’d take things much less seriously.
I’d be less hygenic.
I’d run more risks,
take more trips,
watch more sunsets.
I’d climb more mountains, swim more rivers,
I’d go to many more places where I’ve never been,
I’d eat more ice cream and fewer peas,
I’d have more real problems and fewer imaginary ones.I was one of those people who lived
prudently and fully every minute of his life;
of course I had moments of joy.
But if I could go back I’d try
to have only good moments.Because if you don’t know, thats what life is made of,
only moments; don’t lose the now.I was the type who never went anywhere
without a thermometer,
a hot-water bottle,
an umbrella and a parachute,
If I could live again, I’d travel lighter.If I could live again, I’d go barefoot
from the beginning of spring
and stay barefoot until the end of autumn.I’d ride in more carts,
I’d watch more sunrises,
and play with more children,
If I had another life ahead of me.But now I am 85…
and I know that I am dying.
tears…that is beautiful
Because if you don’t know, thats what life is made of,
only moments; don’t lose the now.
That’s amazing.
I first read this in high school Spanish class. Boy was it wasted on teenagers.
I’ll be adding this one to my list of favorite poems. There’s also When I’m An Old Woman by Jenny Josephs, and Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen by Mary Schmidt. (Although Everybody’s Free wasn’t a poem, it was the commencement speech she wished she’d gotten when she graduated.)
But it’s the same message – live life NOW, enjoy the little moments, don’t be too hard on yourself, and don’t wait to be the person you wish you could be.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Vyckie D. Garrison, Pursuit of Harpyness. Pursuit of Harpyness said: Poetry Saturdays: Jorge Luis Borges http://bit.ly/ctzeQJ [...]
Needed something to help the academic muse return, and this has helped!
Thanks Michelle and Becky for your inspired and inspiring choices..
Borges is my favorite poet. This is one of the many, many reasons.
Thank you for posting this; perfect start to my week!