Poem for the Weekend: Vicente Huidobro

 

The Chilean poet Vicente García-Huidobro Fernandez lived from January 10, 1893 – January 2, 1948. He was a prominent figure of the literary movement called Creacionismo ("Creationism"), which proposed that poems should exist only for themselves, not for their authors or readers, or to deliver any message. More about him and this notion here. 

 

Arte Poética

by Vicente Huidobro

 

 

Let the verse be as a key
Opening a thousand doors.
A leaf falls; something is flying by;
Let whatever your eyes gaze upon be created,
And the soul of the hearer remain shivering.

 
        Invent new worlds and watch over your word;
        The adjective, when not a life-giver, kills.

 

We are in the cycle of nerves.
Like a memory
The muscle hangs in the museums;
Nevertheless, we have no less strength:
True vigor
Dwells in the head.

 

Why do you sing the rose, oh Poets!
Make it blossom in the poem;

 

Only for us
Live all things under the Sun.

The Poet is a little God.

 

Que el verso sea somo una llave
Que abra mil puertas.
Una hoja cae; algo pasa volando;
Cuanto miren los ojos creado sea,
Y el alma del oyente quede temblando.

  

Inventa mundos nuevos y cuida tu palabra;
El adjetivo, cuando no da vida, mata.

 

Estamos en el ciclo de los nervios.
El músculo cuelga,
Como recuerdo, en los museos;
Mas no por eso tenemos menos fuerza:
El vigor verdadero
Reside en la cabeza.

 

Por qué cantáis la rosa, ¡oh, Poetas!
Hacedla florecer en el poema;

 

Sólo para nosotros
Viven todas las cosas bajo el Sol.

 

El Poeta es un pequeño Dios.