The story of the famous poem Desiderata

Desiderata is a word that comes from Latin, it means “things that are desired”, and It is also the title of a very famous poem, which became particularly famous during the sixties thanks to the hippie movement. The text is a compendium of wise advice that has gone around the world, due to the precision of the ideas and the depth of the content.

At one point there was a whole debate about the origin of this poem. The legend was woven around the text that it had been written by an anonymous monk. and which had then been found in the pew of a church in Baltimore, two hundred years ago. According to this version, the poem would have been written in the year 1692.

In reality, it was all a mistake. The author of Desiderata It was the philosopher and lawyer Max Ehrmann. But the text was never published while he was alive. It only saw the light around 1948, when his wife published his poems posthumously.

Desiderata, a unique story

The error occurred because for many years Desiderata It was a poem that was passed from hand to hand, as a kind of act of good will. It became something like a proclamation, it was intended that whoever received it would practice everything that was stated there.

Many omitted to write the name of the author, and that is how it came into the hands of a pastor from Maryland, who compiled several texts to make a special Christmas edition. Within the texts was Desiderata and, next to the name, the priest wrote down a legend: “Church of San Pablo, 1692.” He only wrote those data to identify his temple and the year of its founding.

One of the parishioners was delighted with the poem and asked a newspaper to publish it. That’s how it was done and then The error became popular that it dated from 1692 and had been found in St. Paul’s Church.

Be that as it may, the truth is that it is a beautiful text that has been translated into more than 70 languages. It became popular in Spanish thanks to the version by Mexican Arturo Benavides, who recited the poem to music.

Some unforgettable words

This is the text of this wonderful poem:

“Walk placidly among the noise and haste,
and think of the peace that can be found in silence.
As soon as possible and without giving up, maintain good relationships with all people.
Enunciate your truth in a calm and clear way,
and listen to others,
even the clumsy and ignorant,
They also have their own history.
Avoid loud and aggressive people,
since they are a nuisance to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you will become vain and bitter
Well, there will always be people bigger and smaller than you.
Enjoy your successes, as well as your plans.
Stay interested in your own career,
however humble it may be,
She is a true treasure in the fortuitous change of times.
Be cautious in your business,
because the world is full of deceptions.
But don’t let this make you blind to the virtue that exists,
There are many people who strive to achieve noble ideals,
Life is full of heroism.
Be honest with yourself,
especially don’t fake affection,
and don’t be cynical in love,
Well, in the midst of all the aridity and disappointments,
It is perennial like grass.
Docilely obey the advice of the years,
gracefully abandoning the things of youth.
Cultivate firmness of spirit to protect you from sudden adversities,
Many fears are born from the fatigue and the loneliness.
About healthy discipline,
be kind to yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars,
you have the right to exist,
and whether it is clear to you or not,
undoubtedly the universe works as it should.
That is why you must be at peace with God,
Whatever your idea of ​​Him,
And whatever your jobs and aspirations,
keep peace with your soul in the bustling confusion of life.
Even with all its farces, hardships and failed dreams,
the world is still beautiful.
Be cautious.
Strive to be happy“.

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