Mario Benedetti: My Way

Hope so gentle
so polished so sad
a vow so lightly taken
is not my way

hope so docile
is not my way

rage so meek
so humble so weak
anger so discreet
is not my way

so much sensible rage
is not my way

a scream so precise
when the weather is nice
a howl so genteel
is not my way

so much well-behaved thunder
is not my way

bravery so mild
courage so half-hearted
rashness so sluggish
is not my way

daring so tepid
is not my way

my way is life
lived fully 'til death
a heart on alert
that is my way

trust gaining ground
is my way

my way is your gaze
so giving yet firm
your silence so guileless
is my way

your exemplary life
is my way

my way is your future
your present freely changing
your struggle unabating
is my way

your undecorated battle
is my way

my way is the modest reach
of your possible pride
your unwavering hand
is my way

your way compañero
is my way.

(translated by Louise B. Popkin)