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.
Read full poem

Born on this day

12
E. E. Cummings

E. E. Cummings was an American poet, painter, essayist, author, and playwright, renowned for his unconventional style that defied traditional grammar, syntax, and punctuation. His poetry often celebrated individualism, nature, and love, expressed through playful experimentation with form and a distinctive visual arrangement of words on the page. Cummings's work is characterized by its lyrical intensity, its embrace of the simple and the sublime, and its critique of conformity and societal norms. He was a prolific artist whose unique voice continues to resonate, making him one of the most beloved and accessible poets of the 20th century.

(a... (a leaf falls on loneliness)
Benedito C. G. Lima

Benedito C. G. Lima is a Brazilian writer whose work stands out for exploring social and existential themes, with a language that moves between the poetic and the reflective. His writing invites introspection and questioning about the human condition and social dynamics, presenting a sensitive and critical view of the world.

Maria Thereza Noronha

Maria Thereza Noronha was a Portuguese writer and poet. She stood out for her poetic work which explored themes such as identity, spirituality, and the human relationship with the universe. Her writing, often marked by deep introspection, reveals a particular sensitivity to the nuances of existence. With careful language and a lyrical style, Noronha left a poetic legacy that continues to be appreciated for its originality and depth. Her contribution to Portuguese literature, although sometimes discreet, is recognized for its artistic quality and ability to touch the reader with her unique vision of the world.

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.

Vilhelm Ekelund

Vilhelm Ekelund was a Swedish poet and writer. He is considered one of the most significant Swedish poets of the 20th century, known for his lyrical and philosophical poetry. His work often explores themes of nature, eternity, and the search for inner peace.

Maria Lúcia Dal Farra

Maria Lúcia Dal Farra is a Brazilian writer whose work straddles poetry and prose, marked by a strong lyrical charge and a deep exploration of female subjectivity. Her writing addresses themes such as identity, the body, interpersonal relationships, and social issues, with sensitive and imagistic language. Dal Farra stands out for her ability to give voice to often silenced experiences, promoting reflection on the condition of women in contemporary society.

Artur Augusto da Silva

Artur Augusto da Silva was a Portuguese poet whose work is characterized by a writing shrouded in mystery and symbolism, with a strong inclination towards the unusual and the fantastic. His poetry is marked by dense language, dreamlike imagery, and an exploration of themes such as dreams, death, and the transcendental, characteristics that align him with the literary avant-garde movements of the 20th century.

Ocean Vuong

Ocean Vuong is an acclaimed Vietnamese-American poet and novelist known for his lyrical and emotionally resonant work. His writing explores themes of identity, family, sexuality, trauma, and the immigrant experience, often with visually rich language and innovative narrative structure. He is known for his ability to weave personal memories with social commentary, creating poems and prose that are both intimate and universal. His work has been widely praised by critics for its originality and depth.

Died on this day

5
Armando Cortes-Rodrigues

Armando Cortes-Rodrigues was a Portuguese poet and writer, whose work is part of the Symbolist and Modernist movements. His poetry is marked by a deep musicality, a melancholic tone, and an exploration of themes such as death, time, and saudade, often evoked through language rich in symbolism and sensory imagery. He was also an important promoter of Portuguese literature and culture.

Hjalmar Söderberg

Hjalmar Söderberg was a prominent Swedish writer and journalist. His work is often associated with symbolism and modernism, and is characterized by a melancholic tone, skepticism, and a deep exploration of the human condition, love, and death. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Söderberg is considered one of the most important authors of modern Swedish literature. His novels and short stories explore existential themes with elegant and ironic prose.

Sebastião Alba

Sebastião Alba was an Azorean poet and professor, known for his work marked by a strong connection to his homeland, island identity, and the human condition. His poetry, often melancholic and reflective, explores themes such as solitude, memory, the passage of time, and the search for meaning in an often adverse universe. With a refined style and a language that evokes the landscape and soul of the archipelago, Alba established himself as a unique voice in contemporary Portuguese poetry.

Beatriz Pinheiro de Lemos

Beatriz Pinheiro de Lemos was a Portuguese poet whose works explore the depths of the human soul, the passage of time, and the ephemeral beauty of existence. Her writing is marked by a refined sensibility, introspective lyricism, and careful language, frequently addressing themes such as saudade, nature, and reflection on the inner life. With a singular poetic voice, Lemos wove verses that invite contemplation and introspection, leaving a legacy of poetry that resonates for its delicacy and its ability to touch the deepest emotions of the reader.

Garcilaso de la Vega

Garcilaso de la Vega was a Spanish poet and soldier, a key figure in the introduction of the Renaissance and Italian poetic forms, such as the sonnet and the lira, into the Castilian language literature. His work, marked by the influence of Petrarchism, is characterized by purified lyricism, the idealization of love and nature, and a deep melancholy. Garcilaso elevated Spanish poetry to new heights of formal and expressive perfection.