En Paz

Muy cerca de mi ocaso, yo te bendigo, Vida 
porque nunca me diste ni esperanza fallida 
ni trabajos injustos, ni pena inmerecida
porque veo al final de mi rudo camino
que yo fui el arquitecto de mi propio destino 
que si extraje las mieles o la hiel de las cosas 
fue porque en ellas puse hiel o mieles sabrosas 
cuando planté rosales coseché siempre rosas.

Cierto, a mis lozanías va a seguir el invierno 
mas tú no me dijiste que mayo fuese eterno 

Hallé sin duda largas las noches de mis penas 
mas no me prometiste tan sólo noches buenas 
y en cambio tuve algunas santamente serenas 
Amé, fui amado, el sol acarició mi faz.

Vida, nada me debes

Vida, estamos en paz

 
Amado Nervo

Desiderata

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender

be on good terms with all persons. 

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, 

even to the dull and the ignorant,

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,

they are vexations to the spirit.


If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain or bitter;

for always there will be greater

and lesser persons than yourself. 

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career,

however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.


Exercise caution in your business affairs,

for the world is full of trickery. 

But let not this blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals,

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.


Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself. 

You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore, be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations

in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams;

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.


Max Ehrmann, 1927