Reading for Pleasure Wednesday: Dalila Machado

This book on Bahian poet Jacinta Passos really is worth reading. I should discuss Passos and the book in greater detail at some point, but for now I will say only that Passos has a marvelous concept, “established disorder,” which refers in effect to authoritarian situations. A Peruvian professor of history has written a book … More Reading for Pleasure Wednesday: Dalila Machado

Tropical Breeze

There is a breeze, and I am over my crisis. This is, as we know, a mystical town full of spirits who jangle at you or sweep through. As usual, I have had a multifaceted crisis — it always involves a house, a writing project, and an arbitrary power from home — and have discussed … More Tropical Breeze

Bright!

It was raining, raising the rotten smells in this slum with its beautiful view, but now the sun is out and it is bright, oh so bright! The bay is beautiful, and I am going to the beach. I have just realized something bright. The reason there is no point in coming to an agreement … More Bright!

Fernando Pessoa

Durmo. Se sonho, ao despertar não sei Que coisas eu sonhei. Durmo. Se durmo sem sonhar, desperto Para um espaço aberto Que não conheço, pois que despertei Para o que inda não sei. Melhor é nem sonhar nem não sonhar E nunca despertar. I remain in Brazilian captivity. It is January 1, 2010, and my … More Fernando Pessoa

Writing on Writing

I have said it before, and I will say it again: I should have started writing this book years ago, because I have amassed far too much material. Had I written more about some of it earlier, I would not now be wanting to stuff all of it into every piece. So I was really, … More Writing on Writing