THE KEEPER OF FLOCKS – XXVIII

I wish that I were the dust of the highway
And the feet of poor men were walking on me …

I wish that I were the river running free
And the washerwomen were at my side …

I wish that I were the poplars on the margins
And had just the sky above and water below …

I wish that I were the miller’s Donkey
And that he beat me and treasured me …

Better that than being the one that passes though life
Looking back at life and having shame …

David Scanlon – England – (1963 – )

Pessoa, F. (2018) Poems of Alberto Caeiro. In Portuguese and translated to English by David Scanlon. The Foolish Poet Press, Wilmslow, Portugal. THE KEEPER OF FLOCKS - XXVIII. Page Number 11.

O GUARDADOR DE REBANHOS – XXVII

Quem me dera que eu fosse o pó da estrada
E que os pés dos pobres me estivessem pisando…

Quem me dera que eu fosse os rios que correm
E que as lavadeiras estivessem à minha beira…

Quem me dera que eu fosse os choupos à margem do rio
E tivesse só o céu por cima e a água por baixo…

Quem me dera que eu fosse o burro do moleiro
E que ele me batesse e me estimasse…

Antes isso que ser o que atravessa a vida
Olhando para trás de si e tendo pena…

Fernando Pessoa – Portugal – (1963 - )

Caero, A.  (1946) “O Guardador de Rebanhos”. In Poemas de Alberto Caeiro (Nota explicativa e notas de João Gaspar Simões e Luiz de Montalvor.)”   Ática: Lisboa.

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