25 de December

Friday

4 Born on this day 13 Died on this day

Author of the day

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a prolific German writer, poet, playwright, and statesman whose vast body of work significantly impacted European literature and thought. His writings explored profound themes of nature, humanity, science, and the human condition, often blending romantic idealism with classical restraint. Goethe's influence extended beyond literature; he was also a respected figure in science and politics, embodying the ideal of the well-rounded Renaissance man. His literary creati…

Grass

Carl Sandburg

Pile the bodies high at Austerlitz and Waterloo.
Shovel them under and let me work
-I am the grass; I cover all.

And pile them high at Gettysburg
And pile them high at Ypres and Verdun.
Shovel them under and let me work.
Two years, ten years, and the passengers ask the conductor:

What place is this?
Where are we now?

I am the grass.
Let me work.

Read full poem

Born on this day

Irene Lisboa

134 years since birth · 1892

Irene Lisboa was a Portuguese writer, pedagogue, and translator, notable for her work which is distinguished by its modernity, exploration of language, and approach to existential …

William Melo Soares

73 years since birth · 1953

William Melo Soares was a Brazilian poet, essayist, translator, and literary critic, known for his multifaceted work and intellectual rigor. His poetry explores existential themes,…

Louise Bourgeois

115 years since birth · 1911

Louise Bourgeois was an internationally renowned visual artist, whose sculptures and installations explored profound themes of the human psyche, such as trauma, memory, family, and…

Miguel d'Ors

80 years since birth · 1946

Miguel d'Ors is a Spanish writer and essayist, known for his elegant prose and his deep reflection on cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic themes. His work is characterized by a …

Died on this day

Rui Knopfli

29 years since death · 1997

Rui Knopfli was a Portuguese poet and journalist whose work stands out for its exploration of themes such as identity, memory, and the human condition, often approached with a care…

Fernando Sylvan

33 years since death · 1993

Fernando Sylvan was an Angolan poet and essayist, based in Portugal. His poetic work is marked by a deep reflection on identity, the land, and the human condition, exploring themes…

Hermes Fontes

96 years since death · 1930

Hermes Fontes was a Brazilian poet, professor, and literary critic, known for his formally crafted poetry and themes that explore the human condition, religiosity, and the search f…

Lucila Nogueira

10 years since death · 2016

Lucila Nogueira was a Brazilian poet, writer, and journalist, known for her lyrical work and her strong connection to contemporary poetry. She stood out for her sensitivity and the…

Rui de Noronha

83 years since death · 1943

Rui de Noronha was a Portuguese poet, whose works, although scarce and sometimes of uncertain attribution, are part of the context of Renaissance and Mannerist poetry in Portugal. …

Maranhão Sobrinho

111 years since death · 1915

Maranhão Sobrinho was an important Brazilian poet and lawyer, whose work is distinguished by its lyrical strength and profound connection to the cultural roots of the Northeast. Hi…

Irene Gruss

8 years since death · 2018

Irene Gruss was a poet of Argentine origin, whose work developed predominantly in Spain and is recognized for its lyrical intensity and exploration of themes such as memory, time, …

Raul Pompéia

131 years since death · 1895

Raul Pompéia was a Brazilian writer, journalist, and professor, a prominent figure of Realism/Naturalism in Brazil. His most famous work, "O Ateneu", is a scathing and innovative p…

Xavier Villaurrutia

76 years since death · 1950

Xavier Villaurrutia was a Mexican poet, essayist, and playwright, a central figure in 20th-century Spanish-language literature. His poetic work, marked by existentialism and melanc…

Ladislau Patrício

59 years since death · 1967

Ladislau Patrício was a Portuguese poet and professor, whose literary work is recognized for its depth and connection to cultural and spiritual roots. His poetry, often lyrical and…

César Porto

82 years since death · 1944

César Porto is a poet known for his writing that oscillates between irony and melancholy, exploring the complexities of urban life and human relationships. His poetry is marked by …

Rachel Wetzsteon

17 years since death · 2009

Rachel Wetzsteon is an American poet known for her exploration of themes such as memory, identity, and the urban landscape. Her poetry often intertwines the personal with the obser…

Karel Čapek

88 years since death · 1938