"Last Toast" by Nicanor Parra

Whether we like it or not

we have only three alternatives:

yesterday, today and tomorrow.

And not even three

because as the philosopher says

yesterday is yesterday

ours only in memories:

once the rose petals are plucked

it can not give us another petal.

The cards to play

are only two:

today and tomorrow.

And not even two

because it is a well established fact

the present does not exist

but insofar as that it is passed

and it has passed...

as youthfulness.

In short

we are left with only tomorrow:

I raise my glass

for that day that never comes

but which is all

of what you actually dispose.