19. 01. 1923
Born in Póvoa da Atalaia (Fundão). Civil servant. There is a foundation in Oporto which bears his name. Translator, anthologist, writer and poet. His own words best describe his work: «since I was a small boy, in abundance I have only known the sun and water... I learnt that few things were absolutely necessary. It is those things that my poetry loves and praises. Earth, water, light and wind».
There was yet another garden that of my life
small certainly but the one in my sight
there are perhaps two birds that love each other
one upon the other or two dogs standing
it is always the same restlessness

this white delirium or the rumour
of rain on flanks and boats
the winter will come
over the straw still hot the hand
a sweetness of a very young bee

there was the distant breath of mornings on the sea
and I spoke feeling its steps in the courtyards of the
heart
it is in the end silence it is silence
that crumbles

Véspera de Água
© Instituto Camões, 2001