[1] entre los brazos, in the arms.
[2] pequeño de cuerpo, small of stature (body).
[3] la mesa directiva. In this case, the platform reserved for the speakers.
[4] me dí cuenta, I became aware; I noted. VARIANT: Caí en la cuenta.
[5] tenía ... que, had to; was obliged to. VARIANT: Se veía en la necesidad de ....
[6] no tengo presente, I do not recall.
[7] Es el caso, que, The fact was (however it may have occurred).
[8] al poeta, who knew me as a poet. Note the author’s reference to himself in the third person.
[9] No bien, Hardly; scarcely.
[10] este recuerdito. Diminutives are often used to convey an idea of affection.