Carta

Carlos Drummond de Andrade's poem "Carta" is a deeply emotional and reflective piece that delves into themes of time, aging, and the enduring impact of loss. The poem is structured as a letter, a form that inherently suggests a personal and intimate communication. Drummond de Andrade, a renowned Brazilian poet, is known for his ability to capture complex emotions and existential reflections in his work, and "Carta" is no exception.

The opening lines immediately set a tone of nostalgia and melancholy. The speaker acknowledges the passage of time and the changes it has wrought, both in the world and within himself. The phrase "Eu mesmo envelhecí" (I myself have aged) is particularly poignant, as it highlights the inevitable physical and emotional transformations that come with time. The mention of "sinais em mim" (signs on me) suggests the visible marks of aging, but also metaphorically represents the scars left by life's hardships and experiences.

The poem's emotional core lies in the speaker's reflection on the absence of a loved one, presumably a maternal figure, given the reference to bedtime blessings. The line "A falta que me fazes não é tanto à hora de dormir" (The lack I feel is not so much at bedtime) reveals that the speaker's sense of loss is most acute upon waking, when the reality of their solitude is most stark. This moment of awakening symbolizes a confrontation with the accumulated weight of life's experiences, described as "a noite acumulada de meus dias" (the night accumulated of my days). The final realization, "e sinto que estou vivo, e que não sonho" (and I feel that I am alive, and that I do not dream), underscores the painful clarity of living without the comforting presence of the loved one.

"Carta" is a masterful exploration of the human condition, capturing the universal experiences of aging, loss, and the passage of time. Drummond de Andrade's evocative language and poignant imagery invite readers to reflect on their own lives and the enduring impact of those they have lost.