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Monologo (with English translation)

Monólogo

Meu filho,
se te dissesse que poderia haver um mundo de duas classes,
em que uns trabalham e outros não,
e os que trabalham, mendigam, passam fome,
e os inúteis gozam e desperdiçam.

Se te dissesse que poderia haver um mundo
em que uns têm tudo: pão, remédio, crianças, futuro,
-já nasceram proprietários do futuro!
e os outros não têm nada, nem mesmo os meios para a luta,
a grande luta desigual.

Se te dissesse que nesse mundo
há homens de automóveis, tapetes, mulheres perfumadas,
e homens na chuva, ao relento, mulheres nas calçadas,
e aos primeiros não causa a menor impressão tal acontecimento,
e os outros não se revoltam, - estendem apenas a mão vazia
- e exalam lamúrias.

Se te dissesse que a justiça e a fé são mercadorias inacessíveis
aos realmente necessitados:
e o Direito é apenas a lei que manterá tal estado de coisas;
e há homens que jogam a riqueza pelo prazer de jogar
e outros que a mereciam e morrem sem conquistá-la.

E se te dissesse que apesar de tudo esse mundo existe realmente
e vive, e progride, e avança, havias de me dizer: impossível, meu
pai, um tal mundo jamais poderia existir nem poderia a vida afinal
ser tão má!
Entretanto, meu filho, basta abrires teus olhos.
ai está, - parece incrível, não é? - mas aí está !



--------------------------------
Translation:

Monologue


My son, 
if I said that there could be a world of two classes,
where some work and others do not,
and those who work, beg, go hungry,
and the useless waste and enjoy.

If I said that there could be a world
where some have everything: bread, medicine, children, future,
already born owners of the future!
and others have nothing, not even the means to fight,
the big unfair fight.

If I said that in this world
there are men with cars, carpets, perfumed women,
and men in the rain, the damp, women on sidewalks,
which to the former do not cause the slightest impression,
and the latter do not revolt, - just extend their empty hands 
- and exude laments.

If I said that justice and faith are inaccessible goods
to those who really need them:
and the Law is just the law that maintains this state unchanged;
and there are men who play with wealth for the pleasure of playing,
and others who deserved it and died before conquering it.

And if I said that after all this world really exists
and lives, and progresses and advances, you would tell me: impossible, my
father, such a world could never exist nor could life be so bad!
However, my son, just open your eyes.
there it is - it seems incredible, doesn't it? - but there it is!

Notes

Translated by Mariza Góes
This translation is not by the original author but it is an honest attempt to convey the meaning and thoughts of the original writing.

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Comments


  • Peteskid
    February 20, 2009
    Edit | Reply
    Oh this is very strong...the idea of speaking to and for the common man, extolling the simple virtues of honest work and the unfairness built into the very fabric of societies based on wealth and privelege, one sees why this writer was known as a fighter, and his words became symbols for social re-evaluation and change, remarkable poetry here, my thanks to the translator for a seemingly faithful and strong rendition into english...PK