Saudades (translation below)

That's the outcome of homesickness plus a lot of free time :) Hope you like it !

Saudades,

Quem nao as sente de ti

Buscando moradia em alheios braços?

O Brasil tropical, meu Brasil natal,

Patria de mil amores, ritmos e sonhos,

De ti apaixono-me mais a cada dia.

Helade da minha alma verde-amarela,

Chateada com meu corpo

Por ter cometido semelhante divorcio,

Qual maldita sorte convenceu-o 

A trocar o Guanabara pelo Tibre,

O santissimo Redentor pelo Vaticano?

Volta em ti, voltemos ao gigante.

Dai as chaves de S. Pedro a Francisco,

Prefiro o abraço do nosso salvador,

Falai o idioma do guelfo trecentista,

Eu louvo o de Alencar, Alves e Azevedo,

Ficai com os maiores monumentos da humanidade,

Curto mais nossa virgem natureza,

Obra-prima de divina beleza.

Patria que inspira sonetos a imperadores,

Que ao teu Filho inspiraste a Liberdade.

A ti dedicou a vida e a morte o nosso Vargas,

A propria arte os nossos poetas,

A propria dedicaçao os teus cidadaos

E agora recebes o canto do teu longe filho,

Ofendam-me, roubem-me, humilham-me,

mas nao toqueis o meu amado Brasil.

TRANSLATION:

Homesick

Homesick,

who isn't,

looking for a new home in foreign arms?

O tropical Brazil, my native Brazil,

home of one thousand loves, rhythms and dreams,

I fall in love with you more and more everyday.

Hellas* of my green-yellow soul,

upset with my body,

for having comitted such a divorce,

what cursed fate convinced it

to change Guanabara* for the Tiber*,

the holy Redeemer* for the Vatican?

Go back to yourself, let's go back to the Giant*.

Give saint Peter's keys to Francisco*,

I prefer the hug of our savior,

speak the language of the fourteenth century's guelph*

I praise the one of Alencar*, Alves* and Azevedo*,

Keep the best monuments of the mankind,

I enjoy more our virgin nature,

master-piece of divine beauty.

Homeland that inspires sonnets to emperors*,

that inspired Liberty to your Son*,

to you our Vargas* has dedicated his life and death,

their arts our poets,

their efforts our citizens,

and now recieve the verses of your afar son,

insult me, steal me, humiliate me

but don't touch my beloved Brazil.

Hellas = ancient greek city, it stands for a "heaven on Earth"

Guanabara = a bay in Rio de Janeiro, poetically speaking it stands for the whole city

Tiber = Rome's river

The Redeemer = Rio de Janeiro's most popular monument

The Giant = nickname recently used to say "Brazil" (due to its size)

Francisco = the pope

The fourteenth century's guelph = Dante Alighieri, father of the Italian literature and language

Alencar, Alves, Azevedo = writers of the Brazilian literature

emperors = i'm talking about D. Pedro 2 the last emperor of Brazil, he has written sonnets about his nation

Son = talking about Tiradentes, he has fought for Brazilian independence in the 18th century and died for it

Vargas = our old president, he has dedicated his life to it and sadly, comitted suicide.

Author's Note

Just one thing: it's much better in original language (Portuguese), the translation doesn't save much of the original atmosphere.

Reviews

[Frieda P]

Such a enthralling read of lovesick yearnings for home. Thanks for helping out at the end, I was at a bit of a loss with some of your words, but it makes perfect sense. I really enjoyed that last stanza, wraps up the entire sentiment quite nicely. Enjoyed!

[Leslie Philibert]

A poet I admire, a perfectly trans-cultural writer, full of learning and poetic quality. And a great translator,one of the hardest things to do..

[外人 (Gaijin)]

thank you very much, my friend ! You're always so kind to me :)

[Vidya Bacchus]

Your words are filled with such homesick longings.You have penned it most excellently in both languages .I really enjoyed this :)