Poetry. Latino/Latina Studies. Translated from the Spanish by Harry Morales. One of Latin America's most widely read writers, Uruguay's Mario Benedetti has dazzled the literary world as a poet, novelist, essayist, critic, journalist, playwright, songwriter, and screenwriter. This first ever bilingual edition of ONLY IN THE MEANTIME & OFFICE POEMS introduces Benedetti's poetry to the English-speaking audience. Opening as reflections of everyday life in Montevideo, the poetry blossoms into an art which speaks to all people from all walks of life. Benedetti's extraordinary handling of irony and simplicity alongside his poetry's unmistakable rhythm make him one of the most brilliant observers of 20th century life. Benedetti's poetry, like that of many of his compeers, has long been overshadowed by his fine prose. This has now been corrected in this superb rendering into English--Gregory Rabassa.