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This post delves into the misattribution of “La Marioneta” (“The Puppet”), a farewell poem often wrongly credited to Gabriel García Márquez. Before addressing the true authorship, let us first introduce Gabriel García Márquez.
Gabriel García Márquez
Gabriel García Márquez, the celebrated Colombian novelist, journalist, and Nobel laureate, is a towering figure in the world of literature. Known for masterpieces like One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera, his works are a blend of magic realism, profound themes, and lyrical prose.
However, an intriguing yet false attribution of a farewell poem has added an unexpected layer to his legacy.
The Backstory behind “La Marioneta” and Gabriel García Márquez’s Illness
In 1999, García Márquez was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, which led to widespread speculation about his health. A Peruvian newspaper mistakenly announced his impending death in 2000. Around this time, a poem titled “La Marioneta” (“The Puppet”) began circulating, claiming to be García Márquez’s farewell letter to the world. The emotional and reflective tone of the poem struck a chord with readers worldwide.
However, the Nobel laureate quickly denied authorship. The poem was later revealed to be the work of Johnny Welch, a Mexican ventriloquist. Despite this, the association persists, and the poem continues to inspire many.
García Márquez alleged farewell poem: “The Puppet”
Here is the full text of the poem, translated into English by Matthew Taylor and Rosa Arelis Taylor:
The Puppet
If for a moment God would forget that I am a rag doll and give me a scrap of life, possibly I would not say everything that I think, but I would definitely think everything that I say.
I would value things not for how much they are worth but rather for what they mean.
I would sleep little, dream more. I know that for each minute that we close our eyes we lose sixty seconds of light.
I would walk when the others loiter; I would awaken when the others sleep.
I would listen when the others speak, and how I would enjoy a good chocolate ice cream.
If God would bestow on me a scrap of life, I would dress simply, I would throw myself flat under the sun, exposing not only my body but also my soul.
My God, if I had a heart, I would write my hatred on ice and wait for the sun to come out. With a dream of Van Gogh I would paint on the stars a poem by Benedetti, and a song by Serrat would be my serenade to the moon.
With my tears I would water the roses, to feel the pain of their thorns and the incarnated kiss of their petals…My God, if I only had a scrap of life…
I wouldn’t let a single day go by without saying to people I love, that I love them.
I would convince each woman or man that they are my favourites and I would live in love with love.
I would prove to the men how mistaken they are in thinking that they no longer fall in love when they grow old–not knowing that they grow old when they stop falling in love. To a child I would give wings, but I would let him learn how to fly by himself. To the old I would teach that death comes not with old age but with forgetting. I have learned so much from you men….
I have learned that everybody wants to live at the top of the mountain without realizing that true happiness lies in the way we climb the slope.
I have learned that when a newborn first squeezes his father’s finger in his tiny fist, he has caught him forever.
I have learned that a man only has the right to look down on another man when it is to help him to stand up. I have learned so many things from you, but in the end most of it will be no use because when they put me inside that suitcase, unfortunately I will be dying.
Translated by Matthew Taylor and Rosa Arelis Taylor
Brief Literary Analysis
While not written by García Márquez, “The Puppet” resonates with themes that could easily be associated with his works. The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of life, the importance of love, and the wisdom gained through experience. Its metaphorical language and vivid imagery evoke a sense of urgency and gratitude, hallmarks of García Márquez’s storytelling.
For example, the line, “I would write my hatred on ice and wait for the sun to come out,” encapsulates forgiveness and the ephemeral nature of negative emotions, aligning with the optimistic undertones found in much of his literature.
Teaching Opportunities
This poem offers an excellent opportunity for English language learners to engage with advanced vocabulary, metaphorical expressions, and conditional sentences.
Below are a few suggested activities:
1. Gap-Fill Exercise
One of the tasks that you can assign to your students is the gap fill. Here is an example:
If God would bestow on me a scrap of life, I would ______ simply, I would throw myself flat under the ______, exposing not only my ______ but also my ______.
2. Discussion Questions
Encourage students to delve deeper into the poem by exploring discussion questions that foster reflection and critical thinking. Here are a few examples:
- What would you do if you only had a short time to live?
- Which lines of the poem resonate most with you and why?
- How do you interpret the metaphorical language used in the poem?
- Can you relate any part of the poem to your personal experiences?
- If you could add a stanza to this poem, what would it say?
- What do you think is the most important lesson conveyed by the poem?
- How might different cultural perspectives influence the interpretation of this poem?
3. Vocabulary Focus
Highlight and explain advanced terms and phrases such as:
- “scrap of life”
- “dream of Van Gogh”
- “incarnated kiss”
4. Translation Practice
Ask students to translate selected lines into their native language and discuss the challenges of capturing the poem’s emotion and nuance.
Gabriel García Márquez carta de despedida – “La Marioneta.”
Aunque muchas personas creen que “La Marioneta” fue escrita por Gabriel García Márquez como una carta de despedida, en realidad el autor es Johnny Welch, un ventrílocuo mexicano. Este poema reflexivo, que trata sobre la vida, el amor y la mortalidad, sigue siendo una fuente de inspiración para lectores de todo el mundo.
Final Thoughts
Although not written by García Márquez, the poem is undeniably thought-provoking, offering a deep reflection on life and death. How does this poem inspire you? If you had just one scrap of life left, how would you choose to live it? What lessons would you want to leave behind?
