I am not I

by Juan Ramon Jimenez

I Am Not I.
I am this one
Walking beside me whom I do not see,
Whom at times I manage to visit,
And at other times I forget.
The one who remains silent when I talk,
The one who forgives, sweet, when I hate,
The one who takes a walk when I'm indoors,
The one who will remain standing when I die.

Juan Ramon Jiménez (24 Dec 1881- 29 May 1958)
translated by Robert Bly