One of the greatest literary figures existing in Panamanian culture is Ricardo Miró (1883-1940). In his poetry, he incorporates nationalistic influence, describing and romanticizing a distinct Panamanian identity. This style developed presumably as a reaction to Panama achieving independence from Colombia in 1903. His work does not simply center on nationalism; he gathers much inspiration from nature to illustrate the beauty of Panama’s topography. His most famous poem, ranking high in cultural significance, is "Patria." It was written in 1909 while he served as Panama’s chancellor in Spain. The poem centers on Miró’s feelings of nostalgia, driven by his distance from Panama:
“I feel the nostalgia of your ring!
I have seen many towers, I heard many bells,
but none knew. My distant towers!
sing like you, sing and weep.”
I have seen many towers, I heard many bells,
but none knew. My distant towers!
sing like you, sing and weep.”
Miró also touches on nationalism by referencing to the young age of Panama, in terms of recent independence from Colombia:
“Oh Patria so small that you fit the whole entire
under the shadow of our flag
maybe you were so young that I could,
pordoquiera take you into the heart!”
under the shadow of our flag
maybe you were so young that I could,
pordoquiera take you into the heart!”
Miró’s poetry is significant because it is a symbol of Panamanian identity. Through his works, he describes and documents the revival of early Panamanian independence, just prior to United States involvement. The following text is a rough translation of “Patria.” Despite the occasional awkward stumble caused by translation, the reader can sense the beauty in his words and only imagine how great it is when read in Spanish.
Oh such a small country, lying on an isthmus
where the sky is clearer and brighter the sun,
In my rings all your music, as
the sea in the small cell of the snail!
In my rings all your music, as
the sea in the small cell of the snail!
Stir the look and sometimes I fear
when I see the way you turn me on ...
May never know that you loved so much
if Fate does not have to cross the sea!
when I see the way you turn me on ...
May never know that you loved so much
if Fate does not have to cross the sea!
The country is the memory ... pieces of life
wrapped in ribbons of love or pain;
rustling palm, known music,
the garden and no flowers, no leaves, no green
wrapped in ribbons of love or pain;
rustling palm, known music,
the garden and no flowers, no leaves, no green
The country is the old paths twisted
the foot from childhood toured relentlessly
where are the trees, old acquaintances
that way we talk of a time spent
the foot from childhood toured relentlessly
where are the trees, old acquaintances
that way we talk of a time spent
Instead of these magnificent towers with golden arrow
where a weary sun is faint,
leave me the old trunk, where I wrote a date
where I stole a kiss, where I learned to dream
where a weary sun is faint,
leave me the old trunk, where I wrote a date
where I stole a kiss, where I learned to dream
Oh, my hoary towers, ladies and distant
I feel the nostalgia of your ring!
I have seen many towers, I heard many bells,
but none knew. My distant towers!
sing like you, sing and weep.
I feel the nostalgia of your ring!
I have seen many towers, I heard many bells,
but none knew. My distant towers!
sing like you, sing and weep.
The country is the memory ... pieces of life
wrapped in ribbons of love or pain;
rustling palm, known music,
the garden and no flowers, no leaves, no green
wrapped in ribbons of love or pain;
rustling palm, known music,
the garden and no flowers, no leaves, no green
Oh Patria so small that you fit the whole entire
under the shadow of our flag
maybe you were so young that I could,
pordoquiera take you into the heart!
under the shadow of our flag
maybe you were so young that I could,
pordoquiera take you into the heart!
Sources:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.poemasde.net/patria-ricardo-miro/&ei=SUtbTeWgHsTngQeNu4TuDA&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCEQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dricardo%2Bmir%25C3%25B3%2B%2522Patria%2522%26hl%3Den%26prmd%3Divnso
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