Nicanor Parra Poems

Write as you will
In whatever style you like
Too much blood has run under the bridge
To go on believing
...

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

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

In case of fire
Do not use elevators
Use stairways
unless otherwise instructed
...

Before I go

I’m supposed to get a last wish:
...

Strolling many years ago

Down a street taken over by acacias in bloom
...

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,
...