Bertolt Brecht
Author of the day

Bertolt Brecht

Bertolt Brecht was a highly influential German playwright, poet, and theatre director. He is renowned for his pioneering work in epic theatre, which aimed to provoke critical thought rather than emotional immersion. His writings often carried strong political and social messages, critiquing capitalism, war, and injustice. Brecht's innovative techniques, such as the alienation effect (Verfremdungseffekt), revolutionized modern theatre.

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

2
Maria Ondina Braga

Maria Ondina Braga was a Portuguese writer whose work encompassed fiction, poetry, and short stories, noted for her lyrical prose and exploration of themes such as identity, memory, the female condition, and the passage of time. Her writing is marked by profound sensitivity, elegant style, and a unique ability to portray the complexity of human relationships and existential dilemmas. Recognized for her contribution to 20th-century Portuguese literature, Maria Ondina Braga left a rich and diverse literary legacy. Her work continues to be studied and valued for its aesthetic quality, thematic relevance, and unique voice in the literary landscape.

Demetrio Korsi

Demetrio Korsi was a prominent Mexican poet and journalist, whose work is framed within modernism and postmodernism. Known for his deep and melancholic lyricism, he explored themes such as love, solitude, death, and the fleetingness of life. His poetry, characterized by careful and musical language, reflects a particular sensitivity to existence and the passage of time. Korsi is an important figure in Mexican literature of the early 20th century.

Died on this day

6
Claudio Willer

Claudio Willer is a Brazilian poet, translator, and literary critic, whose poetic work stands out for its exploration of themes such as urban modernity, spirituality, philosophy, and the fantastic. His poetry, often marked by a dense and imagistic language, engages with the transformations of the contemporary world and with the existential questions of human beings. As a translator and critic, he has a relevant presence in the Brazilian literary landscape.

James Joyce

James Joyce was a pioneering Irish novelist and poet, widely celebrated for his experimental use of language and exploration of new literary forms. He is regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, known for his deep engagement with the human consciousness and the complexities of urban life. His works often delve into the intricacies of Dublin and its inhabitants, portraying them with a blend of realism, satire, and profound psychological insight.

His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falli
Rui Namorado

Rui Namorado is a contemporary Portuguese poet, known for his writing that transitions between intimate lyricism and social observation. His poetry often addresses universal themes such as love, the passage of time, memory, and landscape, with a language that combines the musicality of verse with the precision of the word. Namorado's work is marked by a sharp sensitivity to the nuances of daily life and by the existential reflections that emerge from it. His poems invite introspection and contemplation, exploring the complexity of human emotions and the search for meaning in a constantly changing world.

John Frederick Nims

John Frederick Nims was an American poet, literary critic, and editor, known for his poetry with a more classical approach and a fine lyrical sensibility. His work often explored universal themes such as love, time, and mortality, with careful language and polished structure. Nims also had a significant career as an editor, contributing to the dissemination of modern poetry. His work as a critic and educator helped shape the literary landscape, solidifying his role as a respected figure in American poetry.

Salvador Novo

Salvador Novo was a multifaceted Mexican writer, poet, chronicler, and translator, whose work is part of the vanguard of his country's literature, particularly in the so-called "Generation of 1920" or "Contemporáneos". His poetry is characterized by an ironic tone, great intellectual sharpness, and an exploration of urban life, identity, love, and social criticism, often with colloquial and uninhibited language. He was a key figure in 20th-century Mexican cultural life, not only for his writing but also for his activism and his role as a chronicler of the city.