Southern Cone Literature:
Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986)

The title page of Las manos de Borges, by Nicolás Cócaro, with drawings by Elbio Fernández and commentary by eleven contemporaries of Borges.

The page with Nicolás Cócaro's commentary. A transcription and translation into English of the last paragraph from his essay is presented below, along with a detail image of the accompanying drawing. (A larger scan of the whole page can also be viewed.)

Transcription of the last paragraph of Cócaro's commentary: Contradictorias, desamparadas, cautivantes, temblorosas. Manos. Manos para la creación; para la amistad; para el saludo; para el apretón cordial en cualquier esquina de cualquier calle porteña; para el vuelo del ala recién acariciada; para retener una rosa o una gota de rocío. Manos que añoran la batalla en la pampa abierta; manos que sienten y palpitan. Un cosmos. Un mundo; un ser con sus vicisitudes; un demoníaco luchar de sueño y realidad. Manos; manos de Jorge Luis Borges. Nicolás Cócaro 9 de junio de 1966.

Translation:

Contradictory, defenseless, captivating, trembling. Hands. Hands meant for creation; for friendship; for a cordial handshake on any corner of any street in Buenos Aires; for the flight of a wing recently caressed; to hold onto a rose or a dewdrop. Hands that yearn for battle in the open pampas; hands that feel and throb. A cosmos. A world; a being with vicissitudes; a demonic struggle between dream and reality. Hands; the hands of Jorge Luis Borges.