William Shakespeare
Author of the day

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. His vast body of work, including tragedies, comedies, histories, and sonnets, explores the complexities of human nature with unparalleled depth and linguistic richness. His plays continue to be performed and studied globally, making him a timeless figure in literature and 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

11
Gastão Cruz

Gastão Cruz was a Portuguese poet and literary critic, known for his refined and intellectualized poetry. His work explores themes such as memory, time, language, and the ephemerality of existence, with a strong awareness of literary tradition and its reformulation. He was also an important figure in the dissemination and study of literature, with a career marked by erudition and aesthetic sensitivity.

Zalina Rolim

Zalina Rolim is an emerging figure in contemporary poetry, known for her introspective writing and exploration of universal themes such as identity, time, and the complexities of human relationships. Her work stands out for its careful language and its ability to evoke sensory images that resonate deeply with the reader. With a distinct poetic voice, Rolim navigates between lyricism and existential reflection, addressing the fragilities and strengths inherent in the human condition. Her poetry invites contemplation, offering unique perspectives on the inner world and its interconnections with the external space.

Francis Blanche

Francis Blanche was a French actor and comedian. He is known for his participation in numerous French films, often playing eccentric and comedic characters. Blanche left an indelible mark on French cinema through his peculiar humor and his ability to create memorable characters. His career spanned several decades, during which he collaborated with some of France's most important directors and actors.

Erik Axel Karlfeldt

Erik Axel Karlfeldt was a Swedish poet, awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. His work is deeply rooted in the landscape and rural life of Sweden, celebrating nature, work, and folk traditions with a rich and evocative language. His poems combine melancholic lyricism with subtle humor, exploring themes such as love, death, and the passage of time, always with a strong connection to Nordic culture and folklore.

Luísa Ducla Soares

Luísa Ducla Soares was a Portuguese writer recognized for her vast work aimed at children and young people, but also for her poetry for adults. Her writing is marked by imagination, humor, sensitivity, and concern for language, exploring themes such as childhood, the passage of time, human relationships, and the beauty of everyday life. Throughout her career, she stood out for her versatility, addressing different genres and earning a prominent place in contemporary Portuguese literature.

Pavel Kohout

Pavel Kohout is a prominent Czech writer, playwright, and screenwriter. His work is known for its social and political critique, often addressing the complexities of life under totalitarian regimes. He is a proponent of freedom of expression and an important figure in the Central European literary and cultural scene.

Julie Kane

Julie Kane was an American poet recognized for her vivid lyricism and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in its most everyday and profound forms. Her poetry often explores themes such as love, loss, family, and the passage of time, with an authentic and resonant voice.

Nicolás Fernández de Moratín

Nicolás Fernández de Moratín was a Spanish poet and playwright, a prominent figure of Neoclassicism in Spain. His work is characterized by the application of the rules of reason and verisimilitude, seeking to educate and entertain the public. He cultivated both lyrical and dramatic poetry, leaving an important legacy in the Spanish theater of his time. His poetic production, although less extensive than his dramatic work, reflects the influence of classical models and the sensibility of his era, addressing themes such as love, nature, and morality.

Died on this day

4
Paul Valéry

Paul Valéry was a French poet, essayist, and philosopher, considered one of the most important representatives of symbolism and a master of French poetry. His work is marked by the search for formal perfection, the exploration of the mind and consciousness, and a deep reflection on the creative process. Valéry cultivated an erudite and musical style, often exploring themes such as time, beauty, death, and the nature of art.

Gabriela Guglielmo

Gabriela Guglielmo is a writer and poet whose work is distinguished by the exploration of deep and existential themes, approached with a language that is both lyrical and incisive. Her poetry frequently delves into the complexity of human relationships, the search for identity, and reflection on the passage of time. With sharp sensitivity, Guglielmo constructs poetic universes that invite introspection and contemplation, marked by a strong imagistic and emotional charge.

Carlos de Lima Magalhães

Carlos de Lima Magalhães was a Portuguese poet and playwright, whose work developed mainly in the 19th century. Associated with Romanticism and, later, with a transition to Realism, he explored themes such as social criticism, love, and national identity. His writing is marked by careful language and a particular sensitivity to human and social dilemmas. He also had a career linked to politics and journalism.

Henri Deluy

Henri Deluy is a French poet and essayist, a prominent figure in contemporary poetry, particularly associated with the 'poésie en acte' (poetry in action) movement. His work, which spans both poetic writing and literary criticism, is distinguished by formal experimentation, political engagement, and reflection on the nature of language and poetry. Deluy is a tireless explorer of the limits of poetic expression, constantly questioning conventions and seeking new ways to intervene in the world.