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

14
Alberto de Lacerda

Alberto de Lacerda was an Angolan poet whose work stood out for its profound lyricism and reflection on identity, memory, and the human condition, with strong roots in African and Lusophone reality. His writing, marked by a rich and evocative language, explored themes such as saudade, the search for a place in the world, and social criticism, often using powerful metaphors and imagery. A poet of remarkable sensitivity, Lacerda left a literary legacy that significantly contributes to the understanding of Portuguese-language African poetry, originally addressing the complexities of the post-colonial experience and the universality of human feelings.

José Honório

José Honório was a Portuguese poet whose work is part of the literary context of the 20th century. His poetry is marked by a profound reflection on the human condition, exploring themes such as time, memory, and the ephemerality of existence. His poetic compositions are characterized by careful language and intrinsic musicality, inviting introspection and contemplation. His literary contribution, although sometimes less publicized than that of his contemporaries, represents a valuable testimony to Portuguese poetry.

João Silva Maia

João Silva Maia is a poet whose work is distinguished by his ability to weave verses that echo the depth of the human experience. His poetry sensitively explores themes such as the ephemerality of time, the search for meaning, and the complexity of interpersonal relationships. With a lyrical and introspective style, João Silva Maia invites the reader to immerse themselves in inner landscapes, where words become a mirror of the soul. His work is marked by a unique musicality and a worldview that, although personal, achieves universal resonance.

Aguinaldo Fonseca

Aguinaldo Fonseca is an Angolan poet whose work reflects on the complexities of identity, the history of Angola, and the experiences of the African people. His poetry is distinguished by its expressive force and its ability to address social and existential themes with depth. The author moves between collective memory and individual experience, creating verses that resonate with the reality and aspirations of his homeland.

Cineas Santos

Cineas Santos was an Angolan poet, whose work stands out for its exploration of identity, land, and the human condition in contexts of struggle and the search for affirmation. His poetry is a reflection of his experience and Angolan reality, marked by a strong lyrical charge and social commitment. His writing contributed significantly to the literature of Angola.

Noémia de Sousa

Noémia de Sousa is one of the most important voices in Mozambican and Portuguese-language African poetry. Her work, strongly marked by the experience of colonialism, Mozambican identity, and the condition of Black women, expresses a deep feeling of revolt, love for the land, and desire for freedom. With direct and emotive language, she gave voice to social and existential themes, becoming a symbol of resistance and the quest for self-determination.

Sérgio Milliet

Sérgio Milliet was a Brazilian art critic, writer, and translator, a prominent figure in the 20th-century cultural scene. His work encompasses art criticism, poetry, and prose, always with a sharp and intellectualized view of artistic and literary production. Known for his erudition and analytical capacity, Milliet played a fundamental role in the dissemination and debate of arts in Brazil, leaving a legacy of texts that continue to be important references for the study of Brazilian culture.

Carlos Fernandes

Carlos Fernandes was a Portuguese poet whose work falls within the context of 20th-century poetry. His work is marked by a profound reflection on the human condition, the passage of time, and the search for meaning in a constantly changing world. Using careful language and a particular sensitivity to the melancholy and ephemeral beauty of existence, Fernandes built a poetic body of work that, although perhaps less publicized than that of his contemporaries, reveals an authentic voice and a unique perspective on reality.

João Miguel Coelho Borges

João Miguel Coelho Borges, also known as Ruy Cinatti, was a Portuguese poet, considered a unique figure in 20th-century poetry. His work is marked by the exploration of themes such as identity, alterity, travel, and man's relationship with nature and space, often through dense and imagistic language.

Stevie Smith

Stevie Smith was an English poet and novelist known for her unique and eccentric voice, which combined humor, melancholy, and a peculiar social insight. Her work, often characterized by an apparent simplicity that hides deep reflections on life, death, and faith, has earned a special place in 20th-century literature.

Gerardo Masuccio

Gerardo Masuccio is an Italian author and journalist, known for his contributions to contemporary literature and journalism. His literary work often reflects on Italian society and human experiences in a modern context.

Arturo Barea

Arturo Barea was a Spanish writer and journalist, exiled in the United Kingdom after the Spanish Civil War. He is mainly known for his autobiographical work "The Forging of a Rebel", a trilogy that narrates his experiences in Spain in the early 20th century, the Civil War, and his subsequent exile. His work is characterized by a deep social commitment, a critical view of Spanish reality, and a vivid and moving prose that portrays the life of the popular classes and the complexity of Spanish history.

Died on this day

7
Cleómenes Campos

Brazilian poet whose works explore the depth of the human condition, with an emphasis on existential and social themes. His poetry stands out for its ability to move between the intimate and the universal, using language rich in imagery and symbolism. Campos addresses the ephemerality of life, the search for meaning, and the complexities of human relationships, reflecting on the society in which he lived. His writing is marked by constant reflection on identity, love, and the passage of time, seeking in art a way to understand and express the nuances of the human soul. Cleómenes Campos's work is an invitation to introspection and contemplation of existence.

Maria Carolina Wanderley

Maria Carolina Wanderley was a multifaceted figure whose legacy extends beyond writing. Her poetic work, marked by deep sensitivity and a keen eye on the human condition, reflects an incessant search for meaning and beauty in a constantly changing world. Her compositions explore universal themes such as love, loss, and the ephemerality of life, using a language rich in imagery and sonority.

Saint-John Perse

Alexis Leger, better known by the pseudonym Saint-John Perse, was a French poet, diplomat, and essayist. Born in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, on May 31, 1887, his poetic work is characterized by its epic scope, rich vocabulary, and universal themes. Perse served as a diplomat for many years, holding important positions in the League of Nations and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Giorgos Seferis

Giorgos Seferis was a prominent Greek poet and essayist, considered one of the central figures of 20th-century Greek literature and one of the greatest Greek-language poets. His work is marked by a deep reflection on Greek identity, history, memory, and the human condition, often set in the landscapes and myths of the Aegean. His poetry, though rooted in classical and Byzantine tradition, innovated by incorporating colloquial language and a modern existential approach, earning international recognition and a Nobel Prize in Literature.

Duarte de Resende

Duarte de Resende was a Portuguese poet of the 16th century. His work, although limited in volume, is significant in the context of Portuguese Renaissance poetry, standing out for its formal mastery and exploration of traditional lyrical themes, such as love and nature, with a careful and elegant language.

Maria Aliete Galhoz

Maria Aliete Galhoz was a Portuguese writer whose work, though diverse, was marked by its deep connection to the cultural and historical roots of Portugal, especially in the Trás-os-Montes context. Her writing, characterized by a rich and evocative language, explored identity, memory, and traditions, with a keen eye on the landscapes and ways of life of Northeastern Trás-os-Montes. Her vast body of work includes poetry, prose, and essays, revealing a constant interest in popular cultural manifestations and the preservation of collective memory. Maria Aliete Galhoz is recognized for giving a voice to a profound Portugal and for her significant contribution to the appreciation of her region's cultural and literary heritage.

C. K. Williams

C. K. Williams was an acclaimed American poet, known for his visceral and often dark approach to modern life. His work frequently explored themes of poverty, crime, sexuality, and the complexities of the human psyche, using direct and unadorned language that resonated with the raw reality of his subjects. He was a master at capturing moments of intensity and vulnerability, painting a poignant portrait of urban experiences and individual struggles.