Widely accepted as the greatest of the Brazilian Modernist poets, Manuel Bandeira (1886–1968) spent most of his life suffering from tuberculosis. It has been said “his poetry spits blood” and yet he is a poet of wit and humor. This poem is not so much a description of reality as a desire to escape from it. By the way, Pasargada means, originally, a "Persian Field"

I’m leaving for Pasargada
There, I am the king’s friend
Have the woman I want
In the bed that I choose

I’m leaving for Pasargada
I am leaving because
Here I am not happy
Life there is adventure
And so very inconsequent, that
A queen of Spain, Joan the Mad
Becomes my relative, through
The daughter in law I never had

There I’ll do calisthenics
Cycle riding
Wild donkey taming
Climb greasy poles
Do some sea bathing!

When feeling tired
I’ll lie by the river bank
Send for a Siren
To retell the old tales
Those spun by Rose
When I was a child

I’m leaving for Pasargada
There, you have everything
Another civilization
With a safe-proof system
For the dangers of conception
Automatic phone booths
Alkaloids for the asking
Good looking harlots
With whom to romance
When, during the night
I am feeling sadder
Sad without hope
Wishing to kill myself
— There I am the king’s friend —
Have the woman I want
In the bed that I choose
I’m leaving for Pasargada

A beutiful set,,#2 is a great captue! i never heard of Manuel Bandeira and i feel i should have :-s i will defently read his poems!! thanks for posting it :-) InaLina · 2011-10-12: 12:28

Great set! I love the most 1 and 3. Wonderful! AllieOska · 2011-10-12: 12:39

Ohh I love nr 1 !! What amazing colours and so peaceful ....Beautiful poetry :) EvaLizette · 2011-10-12: 13:55

Un set d'une belle sensibilité : vous avez su construire une belle histoire en images pour donner une vie aux mots Un grand bravo josy63 · 2011-10-12: 14:07

FAN-TAS-TIC SET...I LOVE THIS CAPTURES... gREAT POST. ????? · 2011-10-12: 16:49

Une rivière d'or! De belles paroles! De trés belles photos! J'adore:-) tikine3gogours · 2011-10-12: 17:01

My fav is N2. Beautiful poem and for sure a great show. unreal · 2011-10-12: 17:45

Raw, but full of emotion his words are! But such a stunning set of photos to help narrate the poem...I'm loving the kingdom castle :-) KatysPassionata · 2011-10-12: 22:20

damn, i want to "leave" too! :-) mawey · 2011-10-13: 04:59

Wonderful set! Davorka · 2011-10-13: 11:40

I love first two shots. And the poem... I have the impression that once words were simple and say more. (I never understood anything about poetry, but I know that poetry is in things, and sometimes someone makes you see) YUKJA · 2011-10-14: 16:07

Devia ter sido um belo espectáculo. Set bonito mas a segunda foto enche-me as medidas. renatomartins · 2011-10-15: 13:55

Wow. Great poem. Just great. I can almost feel his pain. Amazing. jlmphotos · 2011-11-01: 10:22