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Poetica (English)

I am tired of limited poetry
Of well behaved verse
Of public servant poetry with time clock card, protocols and expressions of appreciation to Mr. Director.

I am tired of poetry that has to look up in the dictionary the vernacular meaning of a word.

Down with the purists.
All the words especially of prejudice
All the constructions of syntax and exceptions
All the rhythms especially the innumerable

I am tired of flirting poetry
Political
Rickety 
Syphilitic
Of all poetry that surrenders to anything that is not its true self

That can't be poetry
That is bookkeeping,  a table of co-sines, the perfect lover with hundred examples of letters and the  different ways to please women, etc..

I want rather the poetry of madmen
The poetry of the drunkards
The difficult and poignant poetry of drunkards
The poetry of Shakespeare's fools

- I will not acknowledge any poetry that isn't freedom

Notes

You can read the original in Portuguese here
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/44603-Manuel-Bandeira-Poetica

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Comments


  • Peteskid
    April 27
    Edit | Reply
    I think the poem builds so well to the last stanza where it delivers an affirmation to writers and readers alike that free thiught is a precious thing; creates our worlds and finds truth and beauty in all things... expressive poetry here with the writer's unique view and depth of thought...PK


  • Aesthete2000
    April 20

    Edit | Reply
    Yem, sharing your opinion---

    Speaking one's mind,
    getting in a bind---
    what the heck,
    art or a wreck--

    shouldn't be code, but reality.

    Aesthete


  • Yemassee Moderators member
    April 17

    Edit | Reply
    So am I, and I've railed on the subject (to myself, sort of) on AP until I am sick of reading my words.

    That need for what is earthy, what is real, what can be said without the aid of a thesaurus and an interpreter of what the author really meant by using the improper word simply because it looked more erudite than a simple one. Also that way too flowery style that is more style than substance. I suppose it's that old battle of romanticism versus realism, and beyond that the need for a Naturalistic approach to express that depth of what is real and from the heart...or the gut.

    I've been waiting for this poem to be finished, thanks Mariza!