I Take Back Everything I’ve Said Poem by Nicanor Parra

I Take Back Everything I’ve Said

Rating: 2.9


Before I go

I’m supposed to get a last wish:

Generous reader

burn this book

It’s not at all what I wanted to say

Though it was written in blood

It’s not what I wanted to say.

No lot could be sadder than mine

I was defeated by my own shadow:

My words took vengeance on me.

Forgive me, reader, good reader

If I cannot leave you

With a warm embrace, I leave you

With a forced and sad smile.

Maybe that’s all I am

But listen to my last word:

I take back everything I’ve said.

With the greatest bitterness in the world

I take back everything I’ve said.


— translated by Miller Williams

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Casual Observer 29 March 2022

Nicanor Parra died on January 23,2018. His biography needs to be updated.

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Elena Sandu 23 August 2013

I am inlove with this poem! We may be certain of words but not the works of minds. With take back everything I've said a restless mind is clearly shown, working nonstop could never remain the same, so maybe by taking the words back could give free way to go on. Of course I may be wrong but this is how I feel this brilliant poem. It helps me appreciate even more the chance given by the internet.

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