In Peace

Voyage of Discovery, photo by Catherine Todd, Guatemala 2010

En Paz

Very near my setting sun, I bless you, Life
Because you never gave me unfilled hope

Nor unjust tasks, nor undeserved sorrow;

Because I see at the end of my rough road

That I was the architect of my own destiny;

That I extracted the honey or the gall from things,

Because in them I put the gall or delicious honey;

When I planted roses, I always harvested roses.

Certainly winter is going to follow my youth:

But you never told me that May would last forever.

Neither did you promise me only good nights;

And in exchange I had some peaceful ones

I loved, I was loved, the sun caressed my face.

Life, you don’t owe me anything!

Life, we are at peace!

~ Poem by Amado Nervo