Poetry in Motion
New York
Proverbs and Songs (an excerpt)
Antonio Machado![A horizontal poster with a colorful mosaic at the top features an excerpt from the poem, Proverbs and Songs, by Antonio Machado. The poem has been translated into English from Spanish on the left.](https://poetrysociety.org/assets/poetry-in-motion/Antonio-Machado-NYC-Poetry-in-Motion.jpg)
Proverbs and Songs (an excerpt)
A man has four things
that don't work on the sea:
anchor, rudder and oars
and fear of drowning.
Cuatro cosas tiene el hombre
que no sirven en la mar:
ancla, gobernalle y remos,
y miedo de naufragar.
"Proverbs and Songs (#47)" by Antonio Machado from Border of a Dream: Selected Poems. Translated by Willis Barnstone. Poem copyright © 2004 by heirs of Antonio Machado. Translations copyright © 2004 Willis Barnstone. Reprinted with the permission of Copper Canyon Press.