Little Stones At My Window, Mario Benedetti

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.

 

~ Mario Benedetti ~

 

(Little Stones at My Window: Selected Poems, trans. by Charles Hatfield)