Valentine’s Day is approaching. If love makes you anxious, here is the loose translation of a Brazilian poem
Quadrille
John loved Teresa who loved Raymond
who loved Mary who loved Jack who loved Lily
who didn’t love anybody.
John went to the United States, Teresa to a convent
Raymond died in an accident, Mary became an old maid,
Jack disappeared and Lily married J. Pinto Fernandez
who didn’t figure into the story.
by Carlos Drummond de Andrade
The moral of the story to any and all…there is ALWAYS a J. Pinto Fernandez 
Make your people feel special and send some postcards to all of your loves…past, present and future!!!!
One Comment
Ha! Don’t ever give up on love, always send postcards, and find time to read Drummond de Andrade. He remains one of the finest Brasilian poets, and I’ll always appreciate his ability to see the humour in loss. “In the Middle of the Road” (”No Meio do Caminho”) would be a fine place to start reading him…or to meet all of your loves – with a postcard in hand.