Mensagem À Poesia

Vinicius de Moraes' "Mensagem À Poesia" is a poignant and deeply emotional piece that reflects the poet's internal struggle between his love for poetry and his sense of duty towards the world's suffering. The poem is a heartfelt plea to poetry, personified as a beloved entity, explaining why he cannot indulge in its embrace at this moment. The repetition of the phrase "Não posso" (I can't) underscores the urgency and weight of his responsibilities, as he feels compelled to address the myriad of global crises and human suffering.

The poem is rich with vivid imagery and metaphors that paint a bleak picture of the world. Moraes speaks of millions of bodies to be buried, cities to be rebuilt, and widespread poverty. He mentions a crying child, women driven mad by grief, and the extreme emaciation of the outcasts. These images serve to highlight the poet's sense of helplessness and the overwhelming nature of the world's problems. He feels a moral obligation to be alert and ready to help, love, lie, or even die if necessary. This sense of duty is so consuming that it leaves no room for the solace and beauty of poetry.

Despite his heavy burden, Moraes' love for poetry remains undiminished. He expresses a deep longing to return to it in a world at peace. His passion for poetry is intertwined with his love for humanity and the simple joys of life, such as a small house, a garden, and a little girl in red. The poem ends with a plea for forgiveness and understanding from poetry, asking it to wait for him and not to forget him. This duality of love and duty, personal desire and social responsibility, is the core of the poem, making it a powerful reflection on the sacrifices one makes for the greater good.