Alberto Caeiro - Preacher of those truths

Yesterday the preacher of those truths of his

Talked to me again.

He talked about the suffering of the working classes

(Not about the people who suffer, who are the ones who really suffer when all’s said and done).

He talked about the injustice of some having money,

And other people going hungry, but I don’t know if it’s hunger for food,

Or hunger for someone else’s dessert.

He talked about whatever gets him mad.

He should be happy because he can think about the unhappiness of others!

He’s stupid if he doesn’t know other people’s unhappiness is theirs,

And isn’t cured from the outside,

Because suffering isn’t like running out of ink,

Or a trunk not having iron bands!

There being injustice is like there being death.

I would never take a step to change

What they call the the world’s injustice.

A thousand steps taken for that

Would only be a thousand steps.

I accept injustice like I accept a stone not being a perfect circle,

And a cork tree not growing into a pine or an oak.

I cut an orange in two, and the two parts can’t be equal.

Which one was I unjust to — I, who am going to eat them both?

(undated)

I’m glad I see with my eyes and not the pages I’ve read.

(undated)