I found this poem at a time of deep sadness in my life. Reading it made a difference. At first glance it seems morbid, but on examination it invites us to live a full and rewarding life – no matter what! I’d like to share it and learn how it affects you.

You start dying slowly

if you do not travel

if you do not read

If you do not listen to the sounds of life

If you do not appreciate yourself.

You start dying slowly

When you kill your self-esteem

When you don’t let others help you.

You start dying slowly

If you become a slave of your habits

Walking every day on the same paths

If you do not change your routine

If you do not wear different colours

Or you do not speak to those you don’t know.

You start dying slowly

If you avoid feeling passion

And its turbulent emotions

Those which make your eyes glisten

And your heart beat fast.

You start dying slowly

If you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job or with your love

If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain

If you do not go after a dream

If you do not allow yourself

At least once in your lifetime to run away from sensible advice…

— Martha Medeiros

It’s no surprise that the poet’s words resonate with me. I am the one she describes who finds comfort in routine; dresses in black; and isolates when I feel vulnerable. Reading the poem aroused the bits of me that fall asleep to possibility when I feel overwhelmed.

Madeiros reminds me of how dreams can slide into oblivion when I’m no longer willing to take risks.

By the time I read the last lines I felt inspired — even amused — especially at the idea of allowing myself to "run away from sensible advice."

Last week this news clip caught my eye. It cements my respect for the poet:

“Martha Medeiros is a Brazilian poet whose poem, "Muere Lentamente," Dying Slowly, has for years been attributed to Pablo Neruda, a Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet.

It’s remarkable how, despite not getting the acclaim and recognition for her work, she takes it all in stride.

She is not losing sleep over it, and has enough of a sense of humor to laugh at all of it. That speaks volumes about a person who is not dying slowly.”

I return to Martha Medeiros’ poem again and again. It’s a reminder to watch for slow insidious change that might be turning life in an unintended direction. It’s a reminder to live a full life, to take risks, to dream, and to do it with joy and a sense of humor.

Source: Latin American Herald Tribune