The Unforeseen

Lord never grant me what I ask for.

The unforeseen delights me, what comes down

from your fair stars; Let life

deal out before me all at once the cards

against which I must play.  I want the shock

of going silently along my dark street,

feeling that I am tapped upon the shoulder,

turning about and seeing the face of adventure.

I do not want to know where and how

I shall meet death.  Caught unaware,

may my soul learn at the turn of a corner

that one step back it still lived.

Conrado Nalé Roxlo