Carta

Tom Zé's song 'Carta' is a poignant exploration of love, longing, and the emotional turmoil that accompanies separation. The lyrics are rich with culinary metaphors, which serve to illustrate the depth of the singer's feelings and the transformative power of love. The repeated imagery of being 'cooked' by the heart of his beloved suggests a process of emotional and spiritual renewal. This metaphor extends to various forms of cooking, from being prepared like a 'fat turkey' to a 'dead canary,' each representing different facets of vulnerability and transformation.

The song also delves into the act of writing a letter, a traditional means of communication that carries significant emotional weight. The singer emphasizes the importance of not economizing on words or emotions when expressing longing and sorrow. The letter becomes a vessel for the singer's thoughts and feelings, symbolized by the 'ring of thought' that is as valuable as a treasure. This ring is described as a 'persistent beetle,' suggesting that the thoughts and emotions contained within the letter are relentless and enduring.

The journey described in the song, where the singer travels 200 leagues and experiences physical pain, underscores the lengths one will go to for love and the agony of separation. The imagery of the horse ('égua') and the physical pain in the chest ('o peito me doía') further amplify the emotional and physical toll of longing. The song beautifully captures the essence of love as a transformative and often painful experience, using vivid and imaginative metaphors to convey its message.