Caminos Negros
Patricio Manns
Dark Paths
It's hard to have to say bitter words to each other
that we never sought,
and to shake hands and leave
through dark paths that swallow and kill.
At least, if you have understood me,
without old grudges you can remember me,
that forgetting is rare and it's not enough
to split paths without looking back.
If you believe that against death
relentless time will bring us back together,
squeeze my hand and let's depart then
emptying the door of shadows.
If not, look at me fixedly
and engrave in your eyes the face you loved,
that neither sky nor earth unite us anymore
in the long night we have to live.
Life hurts man,
death hurts him,
nothing hurts him;
and instead of taking care of his passions,
of drowning his impotence,
he kills what he loves.
That's why, if after death
you believe time will bring us back together,
squeeze my hand and let's depart then
emptying the door of shadows.
If not, look at me fixedly
and engrave in your eyes the face you loved,
that neither sky nor earth unite us
in the long night
that will cover us.
