("Dies Slowly")
de Pablo Neruda
This is a near-literal translation rather than a poetic translation, so the English is a little rough, but I did not want to lose any of the poet's intent.
I chose this poem for my final presentation in Spanish Lit class because it represents my life well. When my children left the nest, I could have slowly died. Instead, at a time when my friends are contemplating retirement, I started school and am comtemplating a new career.
I know what it means to "risk
the certain for the uncertain to go after a dream." Never stop
dreaming, and never stop following your dreams. When you do, you begin to die.
Muere lentamente quien se transforma en esclavo del hábito,
repitiendo todos los días los mismos trayectos,
quien no cambia de marca,
no arriesga vestir un color nuevo
y no le habla a quien no conoce.
(Dies slowly who transforms himself into a slave of habit,
repeating every day the same route [or rut maybe],
who does not change brands,
does not risk to dress in a new color
and does not talk to someone he does not know.)
Muere lentamente quien evita una pasión,
quien prefiere el negro sobre blanco y los puntos sobre las "íes" a un remolino de emociones,
justamente las que rescatan el brillo de los ojos, sonrisas de los bostezos, corazones a los tropiezos y sentimientos.
(Dies slowly who avoids a passion,
who prefers black over white, and the points (dots) over the “i’s” to a whirl of emotions,
exactly those that recover the brightness of the eyes, smiles of the yawns, hearts to the stumblings and sentiments.)
Muere lentamente quien no voltea la mesa
cuando está infeliz en el trabajo,
quien no arriesga lo cierto por lo incierto para ir detrás de un sueño, quien no se permite por lo menos una vez en la vida,
huir de los consejos sensatos.
Dies slowly who does not turn the table
when he is unhappy in his work,
who does not risk the certain for the uncertain to go after a
dream, who does not permit himself for at least one time in his life
to flee from sensible advice.
Muere lentamente quien no viaja, quien no lee, quien no oye música, quien no encuentra gracia en sí mismo.
Dies slowly who does not travel, who does not read, who does not listen to music, who does not encounter grace in the same.
Muere lentamente quien destruye su amor propio,
quien no se deja ayudar.
Dies slowly who destroys his self love,
who does not allow himself help.
Muere lentamente, quien pasa los días quejándose
de su mala suerte o de la lluvia incesante.
Dies slowly who passes the days complaining
of his bad luck or of the incessant rain.
Muere lentamente, quien abandona un proyecto
antes de iniciarlo,
no preguntando de un asunto que desconoce
o no respondiendo cuando le indagan sobre algo que sabe.
Dies slowly, who abandons a project
before it is started,
who does not question about a subject he does not know
or does not respond when others inquire
about something he does know.
Evitemos la muerte en suaves cuotas,
recordando siempre que estar vivo exige un esfuerzo mucho mayor que el simple hecho de respirar.
Solamente la ardiente paciencia hará que conquistemos
una espléndida felicidad.
Let’s avoid death in (smooth, docile or easy) quotas (shares),
remembering always that to be alive requires (demands) courage (literally, strength) much greater than the simple fact of breathing. Only the firey patience will cause that we conquer (win)
a splendid happiness.
Neruda was a famous Chilean poet – probably the most famous Latino poet – as well as an ambassador and senator. He died in the 70’s of cancer. His poetry may be the most translated in the world.
"Firey patience" was a common theme in Neruda’s work. I believe he first used the term in this poem, which was written around 1935.