Poetry
Los cálices vacíos
Delmira Agustini · 1913
Synopsis
The collection opens with a poem that dedicates the book to Eros, whom the speaking voice addresses as “you”. Then come twenty-two new poems, the first in French, in which a woman desires and names what she desires: Spring invites Winter into her cave; the lover's body becomes a swan or a statue of lilies; the union of lovers is described as a mutual devouring. The lover is often absent, and the empty chalice figures the lack from which desire is born. Pages taken from earlier collections follow.
Context
The collection appeared in February 1913 in Montevideo, from O. M. Bertani, six months before its author's marriage. It is preceded by a pórtico by Rubén Darío, leading figure of modernismo, who compares her to Saint Teresa and calls her “niña bella”; one critic sees in this an invitation to misread the poet. The volume also reprints a selection from her earlier books and critical judgements, and an epilogue to the reader announces a fourth book. A bilingual French translation by Monique-Marie Ihry appeared in 2019.
Who it is for
A poetry collection in Spanish, rich in imagery, on desire and the absent lover; translated into French.
Prizes and reception
Regarded as the culminating work of its author; from its publication the volume gathers the judgements of writers from Spain and America.
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