My Soul Has A Hat - By Mario de Andrade

My Soul Has A Hat - By Mario de Andrade

Gansbaai Book Exchange

My Soul Has A Hat - By Mario de Andrade

This lovely poem was written by Mario de Andrade (San Paolo 1893-1945) Poet, novelist, essayist and musicologist. He was one of the founders of Brazilian modernism.

---

 MY SOUL HAS A HAT 

I counted my years 
& realized that I have
Less time to live by, 
Than I have lived so far.

I feel like a child who won a pack of candies: at first he ate them with pleasure, 
But when he realized that there was little left, he began to taste them intensely.

I have no time for endless meetings where the statutes, rules, procedures & internal regulations are discussed, 
knowing that nothing will be done.

I no longer have the patience 
To stand absurd people who,
despite their chronological age, 
have not grown up.

My time is too short: 
I want the essence, 
my spirit is in a hurry. 
I do not have much candy
In the package anymore.

I want to live next to humans, 
very realistic people who know
How to laugh at their mistakes,
Who are not inflated by their own triumphs 
& who take responsibility for their actions.
In this way, human dignity is defended 
and we live in truth and honesty.

It is the essentials that make life useful.
I want to surround myself with people
who know how to touch the hearts of those whom hard strokes of life
have learned to grow, with sweet touches of the soul.

Yes, I'm in a hurry.
I'm in a hurry to live with the intensity that only maturity can give.
I do not intend to waste any of the remaining desserts.

I am sure they will be exquisite, 
much more than those eaten so far.
My goal is to reach the end satisfied 
and at peace with my loved ones and my conscience.

We have two lives
& the second begins when you realize you only have one.

---

My Soul Has A Hat - By Mario de Andrade

Gansbaai Book Exchange

If you are a book lover then Gansbaai Book Exchange is your dream come true. This is a unique and cosy book-shop where everyone is made to feel welcome. Owner, Nicolette Bosch is refreshingly down to earth and well loved by the local community. It is here that both locals and visitors pop in for a c...

View Profile

What is Xplorio?

Xplorio is your local connection allowing you to find anything and everything about a town.

Watch the Gansbaai Video
Read More

Recent Posts

Sanitized Bookshop

Sanitized Bookshop

We sanitized the shop once again today so that anybody entering the shop can feel safe.

Don Nelson - Owner of Don Nelson Publishers/Book People

Don Nelson - Owner of Don Nelson Publishers/B...

Don Nelson owner of Don Nelson Publishers/Book People visited the shop and was delighted to see how the kids enjoyed his books.

Sanitizing The Shop

Sanitizing The Shop

The bookshop is once again thoroughly sanitized. 

Thanks for the mention Cape Whale Coast!

Thanks for the mention Cape Whale Coast!

We are grateful to have many book lovers in our beautiful area and we love our local authors.

Never Too Young To Read

Never Too Young To Read

You are never too young to start reading...

Amazing Book Sculptures

Amazing Book Sculptures

Who said that books are only for reading?