the poetry of Paulo Leminski it is the effect of a period in history, the 1970s, when repression was significantly present. In this way, the poets of this generation created new resources that made communication and expression possible. The indirect and metaphorical language, the break with traditional compositional forms were some of the aspects used by them.
Leminski, influenced by libertarian and countercultural values, fighting the dictatorial management of the time, was highlighted in marginal poetry.
this wanting
be exactly that
that we are
still go
take us further.
Many authors claim that it is complex to classify the type of poetry that Paulo Leminski developed. This happens because he fell in love with many aspects: MPB, tropicalism, modernism, marginal poetry, concretism and some characteristics of Japanese literature. The latter, in addition to being responsible for the intelligent and fun Leminskian haiku, revealed that the author was also an excellent translator, as Matsuo Bashō, a pioneer in writing haiku in Japan, had works translated by our Brazilian haikuist.
Cover of the book Vida – 4 Biographies, published by Editora Companhia das Letras
The Brasil Escola team selected five poems that are highlights of Paulo Leminski's work. Our intention is to make you realize the uniqueness in the writing of this author who so much flirted with various language resources and enriched Brazilian literature with a poetic style single. Good reading!
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
deep down
In the background, in the background,
deep down,
we would like
to see our problems
resolved by decree
From this date,
that pain without remedy
is considered null
and about her -- perpetual silence
extinguished by law all remorse,
damn anyone who looks back,
back there is nothing,
and nothing else
but problems are not resolved,
problems have a large family,
and on Sundays everyone goes out for a walk
the problem, madam
and other little problems.
plums
love them
or leave them.
Near the bone, the meat tastes better
calm heart
not yet
the confusion continues
dreams out
calm calm
we'll enjoy soon
near the bone
the meat tastes better.
Enough love
when i saw you
I had a brilliant idea
it was like i looked
from within a diamond
and my eye won
a thousand faces in a single instant
just a moment
and you have enough love.
What you mean
What do you mean says.
don't keep doing
which, once, I always did.
It's not just wanting, wanting,
thing I never wanted.
What do you mean, say.
just saying in another
what, one day, was said,
one day, you will be happy.
by Mariana Pacheco
Graduated in Letters
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
PACHECO, Mariana do Carmo. "Five poems by Paulo Leminski"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/literatura/cinco-poemas-paulo-leminski.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.