Have you ever heard of Vinicius de Moraes? You might not know him, but you've probably heard one of his most famous songs, The Girl from Ipanema (if you're American, Wikipedia says you've probably heard it in an elevator - take from that what you will).
Vinicius wrote not only the original lyrics in Portuguese to The Girl from Ipanema, but also some of the best poetry ever written in Portuguese language. My personal favorite is a poem called Sonnet on Fidelity. I would like to introduce you to this great sonnet through a photo poem made of a few pictures from my personal photo collection. These pictures were taken in a beach called Barra do Saí, in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Disclaimer: The original poem, written in Portuguese, is MUCH more beautiful and poetic than its English translation. To be honest, I don't really like the translation I am about to present, but it's the best one I could find. I think this poem (and specially the last stanza) is so powerful that even a somewhat poor translation deems it worth reading. If you like the poem, here's your chance to start learning Portuguese so that one day you will be able to appreciate the beauty of the original lines.
SONNET ON FIDELITY
Above all, to my love I'll be attentive
First, and always with such ardor, so much
That even when confronted by this great
Enchantment my thoughts ascend to more delight.
I want to live it through in each vain moment
And in its honor I must spread my song
And laugh with my delight and shed my tears
When she is sad or when she is contented.
And thus, when afterward comes looking for me
Who knows what death, anxiety of the living,
Who knows what loneliness, end of the loving
I could say to myself of the love (I had):
Let it not be immortal, since it is flame
First, and always with such ardor, so much
That even when confronted by this great
Enchantment my thoughts ascend to more delight.
I want to live it through in each vain moment
And in its honor I must spread my song
And laugh with my delight and shed my tears
When she is sad or when she is contented.
And thus, when afterward comes looking for me
Who knows what death, anxiety of the living,
Who knows what loneliness, end of the loving
I could say to myself of the love (I had):
Let it not be immortal, since it is flame
But let it be infinite while it lasts.
SONNET ON FIDELITY
Above all, to my love I'll be attentive
First, and always with such ardor, so much
That even when confronted by this great
Enchantment my thoughts ascend to more delight.
I want to live it through in each vain moment
And in its honor I must spread my song
And laugh with my delight and shed my tears
When she is sad or when she is contented.
And thus, when afterward comes looking for me
Who knows what death, anxiety of the living,
Who knows what loneliness, end of the loving
I could say to myself of the love (I had):
Let it not be immortal, since it is flame
But let it be infinite while it lasts.
By Vinicius de Moraes
Translated by Ashley Brown
And now the original in Portuguese:
SONNET ON FIDELITY
Above all, to my love I'll be attentive
First, and always with such ardor, so much
That even when confronted by this great
Enchantment my thoughts ascend to more delight.
I want to live it through in each vain moment
And in its honor I must spread my song
And laugh with my delight and shed my tears
When she is sad or when she is contented.
And thus, when afterward comes looking for me
Who knows what death, anxiety of the living,
Who knows what loneliness, end of the loving
I could say to myself of the love (I had):
Let it not be immortal, since it is flame
But let it be infinite while it lasts.
By Vinicius de Moraes
Translated by Ashley Brown
And now the original in Portuguese:
SONETO DE FIDELIDADE
De tudo, ao meu amor serei atento
Antes, e com tal zelo, e sempre, e tanto
Que mesmo em face do maior encanto
Dele se encante mais meu pensamento.
Quero vivê-lo em cada vão momento
E em seu louvor hei de espalhar meu canto
E rir meu riso e derramar meu pranto
Ao seu pesar ou seu contentamento.
E assim, quando mais tarde me procure
Quem sabe a morte, angústia de quem vive
Quem sabe a solidão, fim de quem ama
Eu possa me dizer do amor (que tive):
Que não seja imortal, posto que é chama
Mas que seja infinito enquanto dure.
De Vinicius de Moraes
De tudo, ao meu amor serei atento
Antes, e com tal zelo, e sempre, e tanto
Que mesmo em face do maior encanto
Dele se encante mais meu pensamento.
Quero vivê-lo em cada vão momento
E em seu louvor hei de espalhar meu canto
E rir meu riso e derramar meu pranto
Ao seu pesar ou seu contentamento.
E assim, quando mais tarde me procure
Quem sabe a morte, angústia de quem vive
Quem sabe a solidão, fim de quem ama
Eu possa me dizer do amor (que tive):
Que não seja imortal, posto que é chama
Mas que seja infinito enquanto dure.
De Vinicius de Moraes
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