Mario Benedetti

- Translated by Carlos Reyes

Haiku


I would like
to look at everything from a distance
but with you

*

since biblical times
the sky and the nude
have sinned together

*

unanimous obscurity
there remains only a lantern
that asks for help

*

after all
death is only a sign
that there was life

*

only the bat
understands the world
but in reverse

*

in reason
the only doubts that enter
are those with keys

*

when I gathered up
my complete insomnias
I fell asleep