Letter to My Wife

Continuing our series featuring poems by Pedro (Pellín) Rodríguez Miranda, my grandfather-in-law. Today, I’m sharing his eleventh poem titled “Letter to My Wife,” written on July 15, 1952, while stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Carta A Mi Esposa

Esposa del Alma:

Vivo esperando que lleguen tus caricias
A revivir este amor que sufre y muere,
A darle vida de nuevo al alma mía,
Muerta de amor y tantos padeceres.

Si vivir sin tu amor es mi destino,
No quiero yo vivir un solo día;
Quiero que me quieras como yo te adoro
Y vivir con tus luz y seguir tu camino.

Yo sé que vive mi imagen en tu mente
Como mora la tuya en mis pupilas;
Estoy fingiendo una alegría demente
Que es pena y es dolor y sufrimiento.

Si pudiera librar estas cadenas
Que sin misericordia matan mis deseos,
Sé muy bien que no habrían tantas penas
Para vencer los dos, tú y yo, tantos problemas.

Yo sé que tú me quieres mucho, mucho;
Me quieres tanto que tú misma te extrañas,
Y yo te amo tanto, tanto, tanto,
Que el amor se me convierte en llanto.

Salir de esta prisión, ¡ay!, yo no puedo,
Porque es prisión legal y sin remedio.
Sirvo a mi patria con amor y celo,
Sacrificando mi afán y mis desvelos.

En el mundo habrá Paz, pongo a Dios por testigo.
No padezcas, esposa, no lamentes;
Entonces volveré por siempre a estar contigo,
Y tú conmigo, nuestro amor latente. 

Pellín

15 de Julio de 1952
Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Letter to My Wife

Wife of My Soul:

I live waiting for your caresses to arrive 
To revive this love that suffers and dies, 
To give life once again to my soul, 
Dead from love and so much suffering.

If living without your love is my destiny, 
I don’t want to live a single day; 
I want you to love me as I adore you 
And live with your light and follow your path.

I know that my image lives in your mind 
As yours dwells in my pupils; 
I am feigning a demented joy 
That is sorrow and is pain and suffering.

If I could break these chains 
That mercilessly kill my desires, 
I know very well there wouldn't be so much sorrow 
For us to overcome, you and I, so many problems.

I know you love me very, very much; 
You love me so much that you yourself are surprised, 
And I love you so, so, so much 
That love turns into tears.

To leave this prison, ay!, I cannot, 
Because it is a legal and irremediable prison. 
I serve my country with love and zeal, 
Sacrificing my desire and my sleepless nights.

There will be Peace in the world, I put God as my witness. 
Do not suffer, wife, do not lament; 
Then I will return forever to be with you, 
And you with me, our latent love.

Pellín

July 15, 1952
Camp Lejeune, NC

Translated by Edward Ortiz
Previous Poems:
1. Young Love
2. To Jelly
3. Message of Love
4. Subtle Dream
5. Honeymoon Journey
6. That is Love
7. Nostalgia
8. Sad Christmas
9. A Verse for You
10. You Arrived

About the Author:

Pedro Rodríguez Miranda was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on 22 February 1930. He completed his primary and secondary education in Puerto Rico before moving to New York City to attend college when the Korean War started. He joined the Marine Corps and served four years, completing his enlistment and receiving an honorable discharge. After his service, he returned to New York City and attended college, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he worked for the city until 1965 when he returned to Puerto Rico. He worked as a high school teacher in Aguadilla and completed his second Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez.

42 thoughts on “Letter to My Wife”

        1. I’m always looking forward to your new posts so I can read your beautiful poems and enjoy the amazing photos you share with your community. It’s always a joy to read your excellent content.

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    1. Thank you so much, Linda. You know, the five “love languages” are words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Acts of service and quality time are a beautiful thing.

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  9. Thank you, Edward. I look forward to these posts! Each time a particular line jumps out at me and this time it was this: “I know that my image lives in your mind”. A hope that we all have…never to be forgotten. 💕

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  11. Wonderful poetry, as always!! It’s a delight to read such pure expressions of love. Pellín romanticism is a balm for the heart! Thank you, Edward, for bringing us these jewels! Priceless, they are! Light and blessings to you*

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  12. another beautiful and painful testimony of life, love, faith and promise. Personally I believe that it is what is missing most today, and that it will totally disappear in the next 50 years. This is what I strongly think looking around and experiencing, but I really hope I’m wrong. I hope that feelings like these, in these words, will live on and spread to save us all. Thanks Edward. Thanks Pedro. 🙏🏻

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  14. Good messages, well published. It is a message teaching love, sacrifice, and loyalty. This is the most beautiful feeling from your grandfather and grandmother, and the most beautiful feeling for love of the homeland. Well done, David. Thank you for sharing. We wish you a happy day.

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