Táctica y Estrategia — Mario Benedetti
Tactic and strategy
(English translation of 'Táctica y estrategia' by Mario Benedetti)
My tactic is
to look at you
to learn how you are
to love you as you are
My tactic is
to talk to you
and listen to you
and construct with words
an indestructible bridge
My tactic is
to remain in your memory
I don't know how
nor on what pretext
but to remain in you
My tactic is
to be honest
and to know that you are honest
and that we don't sell
each other fakes
so between the two of us
there’s neither a curtain
nor an abyss
My strategy is
by contrast
more profound and more
simple
My strategy is
that one fine day
I don't know how
nor on what pretext
you'll finally need me.
Translation by Paul Archer*
Perhaps one of the most beautiful poems I have ever read.
These words are also instructions. They work once you find someone who wants to build bridges instead of burn them down constantly.