Sunday December 20, 2020 – Posted in Brazil, Poetry – ≈ Comments
Tags: Birth of Jesus, Brazilian Poet Vinicius de Moraes, Christmas Poem, COVID-19 deaths, Reflections on Human Mortality, Rio de Janeiro/Southeast Brazil
Brazilian Poet and Lyricist Vinicius de Moraes (1979-1980) Photo Credit: Vinicius de Moraes Official Website
My Poetry Corner December 2020, featuring the poem “Poema de Natal” (Christmas Poem) by Brazilian poet and lyricist Vinicius de Moraes (1913-1980), is dedicated to those among us who have lost a loved one this year to COVID-19.
Born in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in Southeast Brazil, Vinicius de Moraes is the poet of love and passion. At twenty years old, he published his first book of poetry. Two years later, his second collection won Brazil’s National Poetry Award. He served as a diplomat during the period 1946 to 1969. His first diplomatic post was as Vice-Consul in Los Angeles (1946-1950) where he immersed himself in North American cinema and jazz.
Comments
Rosaliene, many thanks for sharing this wonderful Xmas poem of Vinicius de Moraes with us! By the way, he also wrote the lyrics to the world-famous Bossa Nova song “La Garota de Ipanema” as known as “The Girl from Ipanema”. In 1982 as a young student, I was traveling for two months all across Brazil with a Swiss-Brazilian friend of mine. His aunt was a good friend of Vinicius’ first wife, whom we got to meet on several occasions in Rio. She als took us to the restaurant in Ipanema, where the girl used to walk by that inspirited Vinicius to write the lyrics. Wonderful memories!
Glad that you’ve enjoyed my featured poem. I share more about Moraes’ musical collaborations with Tom Jobim and the bossa nova in my Poetry Corner August 2016.
https://rosalienebacchus.blog/2016/08/07/sonnet-of-the-friend-by-brazilian-poet-vinicius-de-moraes/
I’ll have a look at your link!
P.S. I noticed this morning that Vinicius was married 9 times!
Thanks for sharing my post, Cyril. Much appreciated 🙂