CORA CORALINA

SOWING GOOD SEEDS

“The important thing in life is not where you start walking, but the walk itself. By walking and sowing good seeds you will reap good fruits in the end.”

(CORA CORALINA)

In the heart of Brazil, in the heart of Goiás state, in the heart of the city of Goiás Velho, in the heart of the Casa Velha da Ponte (the Old House by the Bridge) still beats the heart of a great poet. In that house we can still feel the presence of Ana Lins dos Guimarães Peixoto Bretas, a poet who called herself Cora Coralina.
Ana had a long difficult life, but it was a symbol of courage and persistence. She started writing poems when she was 14 years old, but her first book was published only when she was 70. She also wrote a great number of articles on social justice issues, showing herself to be a woman ahead of her time. At 94 she was honored by the Federal University of Goiás when she was given the title of Doctor Honoris Causa.
Cora Coralina’s poems and short stories were collected in books like Poemas dos Becos de Goiás e Estórias Mais (Poems from the Alleys of Goiás and Other Stories), 1965, and Vintém de Cobre (Copper Penny), 1983. Her poems were praised by the internationally renowned poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade, in a letter he sent her in 1979.

Dear Cora,

I don’t have your address, but I blow these words in the wind, hoping that it will put them in your hands. I admire and love you as someone who lives in a state of grace with poetry. Your book is delightful, your verse is running water, your lyricism has the power and delicacy of natural things. Ah, you make me miss Minas, so close to your Goiás! It makes us happy to know that in the heart of Brazil there is a being called Cora Coralina...

With affection and admiration,

Carlos Drummond de Andrade

Cora Coralina died in 1985, but the poet did not really die. As she said in the final words of a poem...

...He will not die 

Who left in the earth 

The melody of his song 

In the music of his verses.

BORGES, G. P. “Poetry Sorceress” (adapted). In: http://www.brazzil.com/p37jan01.htm. Accessed on June 07, 2020. In: MARQUES, A. Inglês – Série Brasil. 1ª ed. Volume único, Ensino Médio. São Paulo: Ática, 2004. p. 255-256.

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