A primeira vez que eu li este poema foi nos idos tempos de Cultura Inglesa. Recebi ele em um papel/xerox com a imagem de um senhor bastante velhinho ao lado. A lição de casa era traduzir o texto… na época eu tinha uns 20 aninhos e não fazia tanto efeito quanto agora, então aqui vai:
If I had my life to live over
I’d dare to make more mistakes next time.
I’d relax, I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles,
but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I’m one of those people who live
sensibly and sanely hour after hour,
day after day.
Oh, I’ve had my moments,
And if I had it to do over again,
I’d have more of them.
In fact, I’d try to have nothing else.
Just moments, one after another,
instead of living so many years ahead of each day.
I’ve been one of those people who never goes anywhere
without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat
and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.
Nadine Stair,
85 years old.
Hoje, fui procurar essa tal Nadine Stair, e descobri que existe uma polêmica confusão sobre quem é o real autor dessas linhas. Independente disso, é uma bela mensagem, simples, dessas para levar dentro da carteira.
