Nicanor Parra Poems

During that time I kept out of circumstances that were too full of mystery
As people with stomach ailments avoid heavy meals,
I preferred to stay at home inquiring into certain questions
Concerning the propagation of spiders,
...

In Santiago, Chile
The days are interminably long:
Several eternities in a day.
...

Whether we like it or not,
We have only three choices:
Yesterday, today and tomorrow.
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Strolling many years ago

Down a street taken over by acacias in bloom
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Before I go

I’m supposed to get a last wish:
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Write as you will
In whatever style you like
Too much blood has run under the bridge
To go on believing
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In case of fire
Do not use elevators
Use stairways
unless otherwise instructed
...