ON THE ROAD, WITH WORDS OF WISDOM*

If you want to write,
do it with the words of light.
If you want to write,
do it with the strength of life.
If you want to write,
do it with courage; be bright!
(Never be afraid of poor or fragile rimes:
they’re like ferns along quiet river’ sides)
If you want to write,
do it with your blood and heart.
(Don’t leave your sorrows or Truth apart)
If you want to write,
do it with your dearest dreams or most dreadful
feelings.
(Don’t worry: almost nobody will care about your
failures; losses or blessings...)
If you want to write,
do it with a short or long message full of wisdom.
(Words won’t count for the ones you hate or love:
only by those who read with the minds of a pilgrim)

*Jairo De Britto,
in “English Poems”