My poetic influence: My three favorite poets are Latin masters of the craft

Dear Lovestar,

Here I am again explaining why there is magic in poetry. A secret magic only some of us can feel and most of us, including me at times, don’t really understand even though I have certainly used poetry all my life. I always loved poetry, even when I didn’t believe in love. My favorite was always love poetry, but I have received a massive influence from patriotic poetry that makes me rebellious because I cannot stand ineffective leaders, just like Marti in his poetry and his wealth of literary works. Below, I will familiarize you with my 3 favorite poets. I read these poems in Spanish, my first language, but there are many translations of Neruda poetry I find on Pinterest all the time. His poetry is so deep, it can touch the soul.

I find it super interesting that my favorite poets are 3 men. Since I believe these guys were the best poets in history (I do have to study more poetry, but I have a super specific taste in poetry, I don’t like all poetry) I intend to become the female contemporary continuation of these guys’ energy. That is a tall intention! To continue my journey, I will return to poetry reading so as to become more inspired. I will blog about this in the future. I write from the female perspective, which is kind of rare. I think there are many more male poets or more famous male poets.

Pablo Neruda, the biggest romantic:

I would read Neruda poetry as a teenager, and it had a melting effect. As I listened or read a gorgeous piece (Neruda is # 1 in my humble opinion), I could feel those wonderful feelings in me and thought, how great would it be to feel this way about someone or have someone feel this way about me. I now believe that my rendezvous with romantic poetry as a youth aided in my preparation for union with my beloved Scorpio. Romantic poetry (and romantic novels) is the only romance I ever knew. You can easily realize that those inspirational moments helped me become more of a romantic dreamer.

I dream of reciting Neruda’s poetry!

The poetry of Pablo Neruda, the Chilean Nobel laureate, is characterized by its passionate expression, vivid imagery, and profound depth of emotion. Neruda’s work spans a wide range of themes, including love, nature, politics, and the human experience. Here are some key aspects of Neruda’s poetry:

1. Love and Sensuality: Neruda is perhaps best known for his love poetry, which is marked by its sensuality, romanticism, and intense emotion. His poems explore the ecstasy and torment of love, celebrating the beauty of the beloved and the transformative power of passion. Neruda’s love poems often use rich, evocative imagery drawn from nature to convey the depth of his feelings.
2. Nature and the Natural World: Neruda had a deep affinity for the natural world, and his poetry frequently celebrates the beauty and majesty of the landscape. He imbues his descriptions of nature with a sense of awe and reverence, portraying the earth as a source of inspiration, solace, and spiritual renewal.
3. Social and Political Themes: In addition to love and nature, Neruda’s poetry also grapples with social and political issues. He was deeply committed to social justice and used his poetry as a tool for political activism, advocating for the rights of the oppressed and marginalized. Neruda’s political poems are characterized by their passionate denunciation of injustice and their call for solidarity and resistance.
4. Surrealism and Symbolism: Neruda’s poetry often exhibits elements of surrealism and symbolism, with imagery that is both striking and enigmatic. He frequently uses metaphor and allegory to explore complex themes and ideas, inviting readers to delve beneath the surface of his words to uncover deeper meanings.
5. Musicality and Rhythm: Neruda was a master of language and rhythm, and his poetry is renowned for its musicality and lyrical beauty. He experimented with various poetic forms and techniques, crafting verses that are both melodic and powerful. Neruda’s use of rhythm and sound adds to the emotional resonance of his poetry, drawing readers into the immersive experience of his language.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Neruda

Jose Martí, the Cuban literary genius:

I also loved the poetry of Jose Martí (Is Martí my favorite? OMG I am having a hard time choosing but it appears that he is my favorite). Martí has been my biggest literary inspiration. He was a less famous Cuban poet of the 1800s. Martí had some romance but mostly very strong patriotic poetry that spoke about morals, duty, personality and a wealth of children’s poems that the children of Spanish speaking America are familiar with. The poetry of Martí is the soul nutrition of the Cuban children. And the sole nutrition because Cuban children (I was one) suffer from malnutrition, except than we had access to amazing poetry and writings from Martí. I was a different child; I did not care about the food for my body as much as the food for my soul.

I really have to blog about Martí, because I have actually studied him plenty, I have his most popular book, a children’s story and poetry book (“La Edad de Oro: The Golden Age”), and he was my first inspirational speaker. Martí conveyed such power in his poetry! I learned many Martí poems and there was one, “La Bailarina Espanola” (The Spanish Dancer) that I recited for years in school. There was a second Martí poem “Yugo y estrella”: (Yoke and Star) which was a very powerful poem about freedom that I recited with my brother in school for many years and I even presented these poems outside of my school. These early days also helped me learn how to recite poetry, I have done it since I can remember, something I should do more of, but I will be the first to admit, I am a bit shy because there is so much passion in me and I don’t like to share my passion freely. I do censor myself when I speak to you, can you believe there is more… secrets…

Marti was pre-communism and not a communist at all. Marti’s soul is probably not resting with the current political arena in Cuba.

We can attempt to capture the essence of Martí’s poetry by considering its key characteristics:

1. Patriotism and Nationalism: Martí’s poetry often reflects his deep love for his homeland, Cuba, and his fervent dedication to its independence. The flavor of his poetry is imbued with patriotism, evoking a sense of pride, longing, and sacrifice for the Cuban nation.
2. Spiritual and Philosophical Depth: Martí’s poetry explores existential questions, spirituality, and the human condition. The flavor of his poetry is characterized by its philosophical depth, as Martí contemplates themes of identity, freedom, justice, and the search for meaning in life.
3. Romanticism and Idealism: Martí’s poetry is infused with a romantic and idealistic spirit, celebrating the beauty of nature, the power of love, and the pursuit of lofty ideals. The flavor of his poetry is often tinged with a sense of optimism, hope, and reverence for the wonders of the world.
4. Simplicity and Clarity: Martí’s poetry is known for its clarity of language and simplicity of expression. The flavor of his poetry is straightforward yet profound, with verses that resonate with emotional sincerity and authenticity.
5. Social and Political Commentary: Martí was also a passionate advocate for social justice and political reform. The flavor of his poetry reflects his commitment to the struggles of the oppressed and marginalized, as he denounces tyranny, inequality, and injustice with a fiery indignation.
6. Humanism and Empathy: Martí’s poetry is infused with a deep sense of humanism and empathy for the suffering of others. The flavor of his poetry is compassionate and empathetic, as Martí seeks to uplift the downtrodden, give voice to the voiceless, and inspire solidarity among all people.
7. Lessons and morals for children: Martí was huge with expressing how “good children” behave and his poetry is super inspirational in this way. He spoke of sharing one’s wealth, children being good to slaves (he lived in a time of slavery), boys protecting girls, always being honest, etc.
8. Beautiful imagery: Martí was a genius when it comes to painting pictures with words. From his garden with the bee, his palm tree references, his nature references, his animal references, his perfect representation of the venue where the Spanish dancer is performing. Can you tell that I know his work very well?

In summary, the flavor of José Martí’s poetry is characterized by its patriotism, spiritual depth, romantic idealism, clarity of expression, social consciousness, and humanistic empathy. His poetry is a rich tapestry of emotions, ideas, and experiences that continues to resonate with readers for its timeless relevance and universal appeal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mart%C3%AD

Mario Benedetti, oh, the romance…

Mario Benedetti, the Uruguayan poet, novelist, and playwright is another poet who deeply inspired me with his romantic poetry. He had a distinctive style characterized by its accessibility, simplicity, and emotional depth. Here are some key elements of Benedetti’s poetry style and his gifts as a poet:

1. Everyday Language: Benedetti’s poetry often employs everyday language, making it highly accessible to readers. He has a knack for expressing complex emotions and ideas in simple, straightforward terms, which resonates with a wide audience.
2. Personal and Intimate Themes: Benedetti’s poetry frequently explores personal and intimate themes such as love, loneliness, longing, and human relationships. He delves into the inner workings of the human heart and mind with honesty and sensitivity, creating poems that feel deeply relatable and emotionally authentic.
3. Social and Political Commentary: Like José Martí, Benedetti was also deeply engaged in social and political issues. His poetry often serves as a vehicle for social commentary, addressing topics such as injustice, oppression, and the struggles of ordinary people. He uses his poetic voice to advocate for social change and human rights.
4. Humor and Irony: Despite dealing with weighty themes, Benedetti’s poetry is often infused with humor and irony. He has a knack for finding moments of levity and wit even in the midst of sadness or adversity, adding layers of complexity and nuance to his work.
5. Versatility: Benedetti was a versatile poet who experimented with various forms and styles. He wrote traditional lyrical poetry, as well as prose poems and free verse. His versatility allowed him to adapt his poetic expression to different themes and moods, showcasing his range as a writer.
6. Emotional Resonance: One of Benedetti’s greatest gifts as a poet is his ability to evoke powerful emotions in his readers. Whether expressing joy, sorrow, hope, or despair, his poetry has a profound emotional resonance that leaves a lasting impact on those who encounter it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Benedetti

Have you ever been exposed to the work of these great Latin poets? Are you interested in more exposure from these masters of this craft?

Did you enjoy this post? Too literary or serious? I must know what kind of content you enjoy and benefit from, so I can align my creation with your needs.

I will definitely write more about the roots of my creative writing, but if my Latin roots are too foreign, I shall do so in Spanish elsewhere.

Do you have any topics ideas or questions I can answer in a future post? Please let me know in the comments and if you want to talk to me in private, through my poetry collection

I enjoyed this.

Thank you for your honest feedback and your continued support,

Eve, remembering today…

Coming soon to this blog: More Eve poetry, always.

The Love quiz: I will give you tools to figure out if what you are feeling is love: Meant for new love

Enchant the Scorpio: poetry plus can a Scorpio be enchanted? I will expose my beliefs with this topic, and I will talk against love spells: Scorpio can’t be put under a spell

I will journal about why AI could not beat me in poetry writing… yet and what makes my poetry better. I am humble like that!