About Brazilian literature: Carlos Drummond de Andrade

Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1902-1987) was born in the city of Itabira, state of Minas Gerais. He studied in a Catholic school, where he was banished by "mental insubordination". Gratuated in pharmacology he never worked in this profession.Public servant, partook of "The Modern, Art Week where was drawn the destinations of Brazilian literature. He is maybe the most popular Brazilian, being one of his most famous poems "José". Here is too showed the poem "Love's balad throught the ages". His poetry is based on social critic, existencial thoughts, irony and a good sense of humor.

“José”

What now, José?

the party is over

the light is switch off

the people disappeared

the night cooled

what now, José

what now, you?

you who is anonymous

who mock other people,

you who make verse

who love, protest?

what now, José?

You’re without woman,

Without discourse

Without caress

even can’t drinking

even can’t smoking

you can’t even spit

the night’s cooled

the day hasn’t come

the streetcar hasn’t come

hasn’t come the utopia

and all is over

and all things fled

and all thins molded

what now, José?

What now, José?

your sweet speech

your instant of fever

yuour gluttony and fast

your library

your gold till

your glass-coat

your incoherence

your rage-what now?

With the key on hand

you want to open the door

but no door

want to die on the sea,

but the sea is dried

want to go to Minas

there isn’t Minas no more

José, what now?

If you cried

if you moaned

if you played a

the waltz of Viena

if you got tired

if you died

but you don’t die

you are hard, José!

Alone, on darkness

like wild-beast

without theograma

without nude wall

to support you

without black horse

that flee by gallop

you tramp, José!

José, where?

Love's balad throught the ages

I like you, you like me

since unknown times

I was Greek, you Trojan

I go out of wooden horse

to kill your brother

I killed him, we fought, and we died

I changed roman soldier

persecutor of Christians

At cotacomb's door

I met you again

But when I saw you naked

fallen on the sand of the circus

and the lion was coming

I leaped desperately

and the lion ate both us

After I was Moorish pirate,

calamity of Tripolitanis

I took fire on the frigate

where you was hidden

from the fury of my ship

But when I carried you to be my slave

You did the sign of the cross

And you ripped your breast with a dagger

I killed my self too

After (tranquil times)

I was courtier in Versailles,

Spirited and naughty

You decided to be a nun

I climbed the walls of the nunery

but political problems

Sent us to guillotine

Today, I am a modern boy

I row, jump, dance, box

I have current account

You are a remarkable blonde,

you box, dance, jump, row

Your father dislikes

But after thousand peripetias,

me, hero of Paramount

hug you, kiss you, and we get married

Search : Massaud Moisés, A Literatura brasileira através dos textos,1996. Cultrix editora.

Translated by Marcos Vinicius Gomes

Photo Drummond 's personal archive