O D E S (1914-1917)
107 [6 August 1923]
All I want of life is not to know it.
Anyone whom Fate has set down in life must accept
The various successive forms
Taken by substanceless life.
There is little point in believing to be eternal
The nothings with which, in our soul, we love
Other poor nothings
That [ . . . ]
Grateful to the gods, rather than for the uncertain
Possession of a certain Fantasy, let us take comfort
In the fleeting energy
Of instants that do not last.
_______________________
The Complete Works of Ricardo Reis
translated by Margaret Jull Costa & Patricio Ferrari
New Directions 2026
