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
João Cabral de Melo Neto

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Jacques-François Ancelot

Jacques-François Ancelot was a French playwright and writer, whose theatrical works achieved popularity in his time. Known for his comedies and dramas, Ancelot contributed to the 19th-century French literary scene with a body of work that reflected the tastes and conventions of the era. His writing demonstrates an understanding of theatrical conventions and a skill in creating engaging plots for audiences.

Stela do Patrocínio

Stela do Patrocínio was a singular figure in Brazilian poetry, known for her work that blends lyricism with a profound observation of everyday life and the human condition. Her writing stands out for its sensitivity and its ability to evoke powerful images, often exploring themes such as the passage of time, memory, and interpersonal relationships with a language that is both accessible and dense. With a discreet trajectory, Stela do Patrocínio left a poetic legacy that continues to resonate for its authenticity and expressive force, consolidating herself as an important voice in contemporary literature.

Heiner Müller

Heiner Müller was a prominent German playwright, theater director, and writer, a central figure of post-war theater, known for his radical and experimental approach. His work is characterized by the deconstruction of language, the exploration of myths, and the confrontation with history and identity, especially in the context of divided and reunified Germany. Müller challenged theatrical conventions, creating fragmented and visual texts that provoke and question the spectator about the human condition, violence, and collective memory.

Petar T. Boškovski

Petar T. Boškovski was a prominent Macedonian poet and translator. His work is marked by a deep reflection on existence, nature, and the human condition, often exploring themes of identity and memory. As a translator, he contributed significantly to the dissemination of world literature in Macedonia, bringing works from various languages to the Macedonian public and enriching his country's literary landscape.

Julio Herrera y Reissig

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Died on this day

13
Mário-Henrique Leiria

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Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle

Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle was a French writer and philosopher, known for his clarity and popularization of science. He was one of the first to advocate the scientific method in his works and to apply reason to the study of nature. His work "Entretiens sur la pluralité des mondes" is a landmark in scientific dissemination, presenting accessible ideas about cosmology and astronomy.

Katherine Mansfield

Katherine Mansfield was a New Zealand modernist writer, known for her innovative short stories and her psychological exploration of characters. Born in Wellington, she moved to London to pursue a literary career and became a central figure in the modernist movement, collaborating with other avant-garde writers. Her work is characterized by concision, keen insight into inner life, and experimentation with narrative form.

Louise Michel

Louise Michel was a prominent figure in the French anarchist movement, known for her courage, activism, and uncompromising defense of the oppressed. Born in Vroncourt-la-Côte, she dedicated her life to the struggle for social justice, freedom, and the rights of women and workers. Charismatic and combative, she actively participated in revolutions and social movements, which led to her exile. Despite persecution, she remained firm in her convictions, becoming a symbol of resistance and inspiration for generations of activists.

Patrizia Vicinelli

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Amiri Baraka

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Augusto Soromenho

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José Maria Fonseca Domingos

José Maria Fonseca Domingos is a Portuguese poet known for his reflective and sometimes melancholic approach to existence, time, and nature. His poetry explores the individual's relationship with the world around them, often through accessible yet meaningful language. Domingos delves into the small observations of daily life, elevating them to a level of existential questioning and intrinsic beauty. His style can be associated with a current of poetry that values introspection and contemplation, seeking depth in the simplest human experiences and the natural elements that surround us, reflecting on our ephemerality and the search for meaning.

Amélia Vieira

Amélia Vieira is a prominent figure in contemporary poetry, whose work is characterized by the exploration of themes such as identity, memory, and the female condition, approached with incisive language and a deeply personal perspective. Her writing is marked by emotional honesty and the ability to weave universal reflections from intimate experiences. With a style that moves between confession and social criticism, Vieira has established herself as an important voice, capable of dialoguing with the complexities of the modern world and offering a penetrating look at human relationships and existential challenges.

Charles Simic

Charles Simic was a Serbian-American poet, essayist, and translator, known for his poetry that often explores the surreal, the absurd, and the dark, often with a touch of black humor. His work is marked by powerful and unexpected images, drawn from both everyday life and his experiences with war and exile. He is celebrated for his ability to transform the mundane into something mysterious and for his unmistakable poetic voice, which manages to be both intimate and universal. Simic was an influential figure in American poetry, known for his clarity and insight.

Jenny Joseph

Jenny Joseph was an English poet celebrated for her distinctive voice and exploration of themes such as freedom, rebellion, and acceptance of life in its various facets. Her work is often marked by a direct tone, a peculiar sense of humor, and a deep observation of everyday life. Joseph is remembered for poems that capture the essence of complex emotions with simplicity and strength. Her poetry invites the reader to reflect on the nature of identity and the way we relate to the world around us.