I Will Be Happy

Today, I’m sharing another poem by my grandfather-in-law, Pedro Rodríguez Miranda. The poem, I Will Be Happy, comes from the Love Poems in Old Age section of his book.

Seré Feliz

La muerte ronda silente entre nosotros,
Desde la cuna hasta la hora final.
Ella es la amiga que siempre me acompaña.
Sea rico o sea pobre mi sitial.

No se preocupa por venir a buscarme,
Pues sabe que algún día mi tiempo ha de llegar.
No tengo, entonces, por qué desesperarme,
Pensando cuándo, llegará mi final.

Lucharé por la vida… Disfrutaré su encanto.
Amaré cuanto pueda mi alma sensible amar…
Laboraré gozoso. Honraré mi trabajo,
Pero no he de ofuscarme por la Parca encontrar…

Seré feliz cuando el día comience;
Seré feliz al día terminar…
Serviré a mi Dios y a mi vecino;
Trazaré mi camino, y habré de prosperar…
I Will Be Happy

Death silently circles among us,

From the cradle to the final hour.

She is the friend who always accompanies me,

Whether my place is rich or poor.

She doesn’t worry about coming to get me,

For she knows that one day my time will come.

Therefore, I have no reason to despair,

Wondering when my end will arrive.

I will fight for life… I will enjoy its charm.

I will love as much as my sensitive soul can love…

I will work joyfully. I will honor my labor,

But I will not be troubled by the approach of Death…

I will be happy when the day begins;

I will be happy when the day ends…

 I will serve my God and my neighbor;

I will chart my path, and I will prosper…

(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
11. Letter to My Wife
12. To the Colón Park of Aguadilla
13. Legend of the Flamboyant
14. Evolution of Love
15. Liza
16. The Old Tree
17. God Bless the Sent One

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.

45 thoughts on “I Will Be Happy”

  10. Besides beautiful, this is also a very profound and worth reflecting on poem. Pedro’s poems are really extraordinary, highlighting clearly his inner beauty and wisdom. The shadow of death should not stop us from living and appreciating each moment of life. Still, not in a way that one becomes careless and disconnected with the natural cycles of life. Thanks for sharing this poetic and insightful gem, Edward! Always much appreciated! Light and blessings to you; have a peaceful day!

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    1. Thank you so much, Susana. You’re absolutely right that we should not live our lives in a careless or disconnected way. We are all here with a purpose, and we should find it so we can help others and contribute meaningfully to our society and the natural cycle of life, as you so well stated.

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  14. Senor Miranda’s poems are written so perfectly, Edward. When I see posts in Spanish, I read them in that language before translating to “hear” the words in its native tongue, and also help me with my Spanish. I understood most of the poem but was surprised after translating that the subject was death. When reading the Spanish, I thought of it as a love story. Still, so powerful.

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    1. He definitely used the Spanish language masterfully. There were a couple of lines where I struggled to find the English equivalent. He grew up in a time when Puerto Rican poetry was at its best. I have read many poems discussing subjects such as war, national independence, and poverty, to name a few, and they all sound like a love story to me—including this one. A love for living life to the fullest. Thank you, Mary.

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