Alfonsina Storni (1892-1938) was an Argentine poet and writer associated with Modernism. The following poem is her farewell to life and a poignant account of her final wish.

Teeth of flowers, dew cap,

hands of herbs, you, delicate nurse,

have the earthen sheets ready

and the quilt of weeded mosses.

I'm going to sleep, my nurse, lay me down.

Put a lamp at the head of my bed;

a constellation, whatever you like;

they're all good: lower it a bit.

Leave me alone: you hear the buds breaking...

a light blue foot cradles you from above

and a bird traces some measures for you

so you forget… Thank you. Ah, an order:

if he calls again on the phone

You tell him not to insist, I'm out…

Header Image:

Portrait of Alfonsina Storni. Author: Unknown