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

18
Miguel Hernández

Miguel Hernández was a Spanish poet whose work is part of the Generation of '27. His poetry, marked by expressive force and social themes, evolved from an initially more intimate tone to a deep engagement with the issues of his time. The Spanish Civil War had a devastating impact on his life and literary production, making him one of the fundamental poets of Spanish-language literature.

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.

Ezra Pound

Ezra Pound was a highly influential American poet and critic, and a major figure in the modernist movement. He was a key proponent of Imagism and Vorticism, championing a return to classical forms and precise imagery in poetry. Pound's extensive work, most notably "The Cantos," is characterized by its complex allusions, multilingualism, and engagement with history, economics, and art. His influence extended to many other writers, including T.S. Eliot, Ernest Hemingway, and James Joyce, whom he actively supported and promoted.

[Greek]
Ana Paula Ribeiro Tavares

Ana Paula Ribeiro Tavares is a contemporary Portuguese poet and essayist. Her poetic work is marked by reflective depth and the exploration of themes such as memory, identity, and the passage of time, often with an introspective look at the human experience. Her writing is distinguished by its musicality and vocabulary precision, combining lyrical sensibility with an intellectualized approach to language.

Raul de Leoni

Raul de Leoni was a Brazilian poet and diplomat, known for his poetry that blends Parnassian and Symbolist influences, with a touch of modernity. His work explores themes such as beauty, art, ephemerality, and the pursuit of formal perfection. He is an important figure in the transition between 19th-century poetry and Brazilian modernism.

Alfredo Pedro de Meneses Guisado

Alfredo Guisado was a Portuguese poet, playwright, and journalist. Connected to the saudosismo movement, his poetic work is marked by a strong lyrical expression, with recurring themes such as love, saudade (longing), and melancholy. He developed a multifaceted career, actively contributing to the cultural and literary life of his time through writing and criticism. His literary production, although not extensive, solidified his presence in the Portuguese poetic landscape of the first half of the 20th century, engaging with the aesthetic sensibilities of his era.

Antônio Barreto

Antônio Barreto is a name that stands out in Brazilian poetry, recognized for his ability to weave verses that capture the essence of the human condition with sensitivity and depth. His work oscillates between the lyrical and the reflective, exploring universal themes such as love, loss, the passage of time, and the search for meaning. With a language that sometimes wears a certain melancholy, but always permeated by a latent hope, Antônio Barreto constructs a poetic universe rich in images and emotions, consolidating himself as a singular voice in contemporary literature.

André Chénier

André Chénier was a French poet, considered one of the founders of French romanticism. He was born in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in 1762 and was executed during the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution in 1794. His poetry, characterized by formal elegance and emotional depth, influenced generations of later poets. Chénier was known for his admiration for classical antiquity, combined with a modern sensibility and strong political engagement. His lyrical and epic poems celebrated beauty, nature, and freedom.

Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Richard Brinsley Sheridan was an Irish playwright, politician, and theatre owner, known for his witty and satirical comedies that critiqued the customs of Georgian society. His most famous plays, such as "The Rivals" and "The School for Scandal", continue to be staged and appreciated for their intelligence, sharp dialogue, and memorable characters.

Steal! And egad, serve your best thoughts as gypsi
Maria Luísa Soares

Maria Luísa Soares was a singular figure in the literary landscape, standing out for her poetry of an intimate and reflective nature. Her work explores the human condition, the labyrinths of the soul, and the ephemerality of time with depth, clothed in careful and imagery-rich language. Her literary career, though discreet in terms of publication volume, left an indelible mark for the originality and sensitivity with which she approached universal themes, consolidating her as an important voice in contemporary poetry.

Joaquim Costa

Joaquim Costa was a notable Portuguese poet, whose work is predominantly found within the scope of symbolism and modernism. His writing is marked by a profound reflection on the human condition, the ephemerality of time, and the search for a transcendent meaning, often exploring themes such as nature, love, and death with a language rich in musicality and suggestion. An explorer of new poetic forms, Costa skillfully combined the heritage of Portuguese literary tradition with avant-garde experimentation, creating a unique poetic universe that resonates with its lyrical intensity and exploration of the soul's subtleties. His contribution to contemporary Portuguese poetry is recognized for its originality and its ability to evoke powerful sensations and images.

Fernando Alvarenga

Fernando Alvarenga was a Portuguese poet and essayist, whose work is notable for its profound reflection on the human condition, identity, and the inner landscape. With careful language and a sometimes melancholic tone, he explored themes such as memory, time, and transcendence. His poetry and prose reflect a deep dialogue with literary tradition and a keen sensitivity to the complexities of existence.

Maria Amélia Marques Neto

Maria Amélia Marques Neto was a Portuguese writer and poet, whose work stands out for its sensitivity and strong connection to Portuguese popular culture and traditions. Her poetic work, often evocative and melancholic, addresses themes such as identity, memory, and the passage of time, using accessible language yet rich in lyricism. She was also an important figure in the dissemination and preservation of cultural heritage, especially concerning oral traditions and popular literature.

Jorge Marcel

Jorge Marcel was a renowned poet whose work fits within the Portuguese modernist movement, with strong ties to surrealism and formal experimentation. His poetry is marked by an intense exploration of the unconscious, language, and everyday reality, challenging literary conventions. With a vigorous and imagistic style, Marcel addressed themes such as love, death, the city, and the search for expressive freedom, leaving a legacy of complex and innovative work that continues to influence contemporary Portuguese poetry.

Sérgio Sant'anna

Sérgio Sant'anna was a renowned Brazilian writer, known for his innovative and experimental prose, which challenged literary conventions. His work is marked by the exploration of language, subjectivity, and the complexities of the human condition. He is recognized for his ability to create fragmented narratives and for addressing themes such as love, death, and memory from a unique perspective.

Rod Mengham

Rod Mengham is a British poet, literary critic, and academic. His poetic work is known for its intellectual complexity and formal experimentation, often engaging with philosophy and visual arts. As a critic, he is distinguished by his insightful analyses of modern and contemporary literature. Mengham has a long career in teaching, where he has influenced generations of writers and students. His work combines deep scholarship with a keen sensitivity to the nuances of language and artistic expression.

Raymond McDaniel

Raymond McDaniel is an American poet known for his experimental and innovative approach to poetic language. His work challenges conventions, exploring new forms of expression and combining elements from diverse literary traditions. McDaniel is an artist who uses poetry as a medium to investigate perception, reality, and the human condition.

Angela Figuera Aymerich

Ángela Figuera Aymerich was a Spanish poet whose work is characterized by profound social sensibility and a vital commitment to human values. Her poetry, often marked by the experience of the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath, addresses themes such as injustice, solidarity, the female condition, and the pursuit of freedom. With a direct and emotional language, Figuera Aymerich became a powerful and necessary voice in post-war Spanish poetry, defending human dignity and hope amidst adversity.

Died on this day

6
Lucídio Freitas

Lucídio Freitas was a poet whose work is marked by a strong connection to the land and traditions. His poetry explores the landscape, customs, and soul of his people, using language that evokes rusticity and authenticity. Freitas managed to capture the essence of rural life and its complexities, becoming a lyrical chronicler of his homeland.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was an American poet and author known for her inspirational and often sentimental verse. Her poetry resonated widely with the public for its accessible style and optimistic themes, which frequently touched on love, nature, and positive thinking. Wilcox achieved significant popularity during her lifetime, with her works being widely published and embraced by readers seeking comfort and encouragement. She became a prominent voice, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, for her ability to distill complex emotions and life philosophies into memorable, quotable lines that continue to be recognized.

It Might Have Been
Germán Bleiberg

Germán Bleiberg was a Spanish poet and literary critic whose work is characterized by an intense exploration of the human condition, identity, and memory, often from an existential and reflective perspective. His poetry, marked by precise language and a deep capacity for introspection, addresses themes such as the passage of time, solitude, and the search for meaning. Bleiberg also stood out for his work as a critic, analyzing the work of other authors with acuity and rigor. His legacy rests on a poetic and essayistic body of work that invites meditation on fundamental aspects of life.

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.