Poem of the day

Grass

Carl Sandburg
Pile the bodies high at Austerlitz and Waterloo.
Shovel them under and let me work
-I am the grass; I cover all.

And pile them high at Gettysburg
And pile them high at Ypres and Verdun.
Shovel them under and let me work.
Two years, ten years, and the passengers ask the conductor:

What place is this?
Where are we now?

I am the grass.
Let me work.
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Born on this day

8
Luís Anriques

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Arnaldo Antunes

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Aldir Blanc

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Ada Ciocci

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Dunshee de Abranches

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José Angel Buesa

José Ángel Buesa was a Spanish poet, known for his passionate and deeply lyrical style, often focused on the themes of love, death, and melancholy. His poetry, with a strong influence of romanticism and symbolism, captivated readers with its expressiveness and its ability to evoke intense emotions. With a vast and diverse production, Buesa explored different facets of human feeling, from the celebration of love to the contemplation of the finitude of life. His work is an invitation to introspection, to the appreciation of ephemeral beauty, and to reflection on the great questions of existence.

Pentti Saarikoski

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Gustave Thibon

Gustave Thibon was a French philosopher and essayist, known for his reflections on the human condition, spirituality, and the relationship between man and nature. His work is marked by a profound humanism and the search for a synthesis between rational thought and intuition.

Died on this day

7
Clélia Romano

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Horácio Dídimo

Horácio Dídimo is a name associated with contemporary Portuguese-language poetry, with a body of work that explores the depths of the human condition, the ephemerality of time, and the search for meaning in a constantly changing world. His writing is characterized by careful language, a strong imagistic charge, and a sensitivity that oscillates between melancholy and hope. His poetry reflects a dialogue with the anxieties of modernity, addressing universal themes through a personal and introspective perspective. Dídimo is recognized for his ability to create dense lyrical atmospheres and for his originality in exploring recurring themes in poetry, such as love, memory, and the passage of life.

Juan L. Ortiz

Juan L. Ortiz was a prominent Argentine poet, known for his deep connection with the landscape and culture of the Argentine littoral. His work is an invitation to contemplate nature and explore Argentine identity, marked by a unique lyricism and an evocative language that distinguishes him in Spanish-language literature. He is considered one of the great innovators of 20th-century Argentine poetry.

Laura Riding Jackson

Laura Riding Jackson, born Laura Reichenthal, was an American poet, literary critic, and novelist of great originality and complexity. Her work is marked by a profound investigation into language, truth, and the nature of reality, challenging literary and philosophical conventions. As a poet, Riding explored the possibilities of the written word with remarkable intellectual intensity and formal freedom. Her prose and criticism also reflect sharp thinking and a relentless pursuit of authenticity, making her a unique and influential, though often controversial, figure in 20th-century literature.

Henry Lawson

Henry Lawson was an Australian writer and poet, celebrated for his vivid portrayals of Australian bush life, identity, and the struggles of ordinary people. He is considered one of Australia's greatest literary figures, known for his realistic and often melancholic depiction of the Australian landscape and its inhabitants. His work frequently captures the hardship, mateship, and resilience of the Australian spirit.

For there's a swellin' in my heart -- a tightness in my throat --