“Truly do we live on earth? Not forever on earth; only a little while here. Although it be jade, it will be broken, Although it be gold, it is crushed, Although it be quetzal feather, it is torn asunder. Not forever on earth; only a little while here.” PoetryMortalityCarpe DiemTime PassingAztec Author:Nezahualcóyotl
“O friends, to a good place we've come to live, come in springtime! In that place a very brief moment! So brief is life!” PoetryMortalityLife Is ShortEnjoying LifeAztecs Author:Nezahualcóyotl
“We will pass away. I, Nezahualcoyotl, say, enjoy! Do we really live on earth? Ohuaya, ohuaya. Not forever on earth, only a brief time here! Even jades fracture; even gold ruptures, even quetzal plumes tear: Not forever on earth: only a brief time here! Ohuaya, ohuaya.” PoetryMortalityCarpe DiemTime PassingEnjoying LifeAztecs Author:Nezahualcóyotl