TO GIVE
Oscar Jara Azócar (Chile)
TO GIVE,
with the tranquillity of the stars
with the discreet elegance of the flower
with the burning intensity of the flame
with all the heart
TO GIVE,
without the rising source of pride
without the eyeball dry from evidence
without the voice of softened pity
without the soul dressed in conceit
TO GIVE,
in the tortuous depth of doubt
in the poor path without truth
in the night of abandonment
in the hour without peace
TO GIVE,
neither with desire for the favor of reward
nor with the haughty heart
nor hoping for echoes of praise
nor although after giving, they have wounded you
TO GIVE,
like the heavenly river gives pleasure
like the tree on fire and in song
like the whole earth in bread and gold
like God gives - in love!
Panamericana Texana
September, 1973