Jorge Carrera Andrade

Jorge Carrera Andrade

Jorge Carrera Andrade (Quito, September 18, 1903 – Quito, November 7, 1978) was an Ecuadorian writer, poet, diplomat, and university professor. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential Latin American poets of the twentieth century both during his lifetime and after his death. Muna Lee’s critically-acclaimed translation of his poetry collection, Secret Country (1946), brought him to prominence in the United States. He lectured at Stony Brook University in the Department of Romance Languages in 1970­-1972, he also guest lectured at Harvard University and Vassar College during this period. Most of his poetry has been translated into French, German, Russian and English.

Early Life and Education

Jorge Carrera Andrade was born on September 18, 1903, in Quito, Ecuador, into an intellectually inclined middle-class family. His father, Abelardo Carrera Andrade, was a prominent lawyer and politician with liberal views, while his mother, Carmen Amelia Baca Andrade, was a cultured woman fluent in French, who nurtured her children’s intellectual development. Growing up in a household filled with books, Jorge was introduced to literature early on, fostering a lifelong passion for reading and writing. His mother’s influence, especially in his literary and cultural pursuits, was profound, shaping his sensitivity to language and the arts.

Carrera Andrade attended several prestigious schools, beginning with the Juan Montalvo Normal Institute, where he received a strong liberal arts education. He then enrolled at the Mejía National Institute in Quito, a progressive institution known for its secular approach to education. At Mejía, he studied under Alejandro Andrade Coello, a distinguished Ecuadorian writer and educator, whose dedication to literature and pedagogy left a lasting impression on his students. During this time, Carrera Andrade, alongside Gonzalo Escudero, Augusto Arias, and Luis Aníbal Sánchez, co-founded the César Borja Literary Society, a group dedicated to fostering literary innovation. As part of their efforts, the society produced La Idea, a magazine that served as an early platform for Carrera Andrade’s creative development and introduced avant-garde ideas to Ecuadorian literature.

Carrera Andrade’s higher education took him abroad, where he continued to cultivate his literary interests. He studied Philosophy and Letters at the University of Barcelona in Spain and furthered his studies at the Faculty of Philosophy in Aix-en-Provence, France. These years in Europe exposed him to the burgeoning literary movements of the time, including Surrealism and Modernism, which deeply influenced his poetic style. His exposure to European intellectuals helped solidify his cosmopolitan outlook and his lifelong pursuit of universal themes in his work.

Early Literary Career and Vanguardism

Carrera Andrade’s literary career began in earnest in the early 1920s, during a period when Ecuadorian literature was undergoing a significant transformation. In 1922, some of his early poems were published in Aurora Estrada y Ayala’s magazine Proteo, a platform that promoted Ecuadorian literary modernism. Carrera Andrade, alongside figures like Gabriela Mistral and César Vallejo, became part of the Latin American vanguard that sought to break away from traditionalist literary forms and themes.

His debut collection, “El estanque inefable” (The Ineffable Pond), was published in 1922, establishing him as a new voice in Ecuadorian poetry. His early work was heavily influenced by French symbolism and the modernist poets of Latin America, particularly Rubén Darío. However, Carrera Andrade soon developed a distinct style that blended local Ecuadorian themes with avant-garde experimentation. His poems often revolved around nature and small, everyday objects, rendered with deep symbolism and metaphor.

In 1926, he published “La guirnalda del silencio” (The Wreath of Silence), which further established his reputation. This work marked a departure from his earlier, more traditional style and embraced a more minimalist, imagistic approach. His fascination with the natural world and ordinary objects became a hallmark of his poetry, which critics later referred to as a kind of “animist poetry”—imbuing objects with a deeper, often spiritual significance. He also began experimenting with form, creating “microgramas”, short, epigrammatic poems that combined the brevity of Japanese haiku with a distinctly Ecuadorian sensibility. These poems, focusing on themes like nature, the passage of time, and existential reflection, became one of his signature contributions to world literature.

Works in Prose and Nonfiction

Though primarily known as a poet, Jorge Carrera Andrade also made significant contributions to prose and nonfiction. His essays, autobiographies, and literary criticism offer insights into his worldview and provide context for his poetic works. These prose writings reflect his philosophical concerns and cosmopolitan experiences as a diplomat and traveler.

His autobiography, “El volcán y el colibrí” (The Volcano and the Hummingbird), published in 1970, is one of his most important works of nonfiction. In this reflective memoir, Carrera Andrade intertwines his personal life with his professional experiences, giving readers a glimpse into the inner workings of his mind and his philosophical reflections on life, poetry, and diplomacy.

He also wrote travel diaries, such as “Viaje por países y libros” (Journey Through Countries and Books, 1961), which combines travel writing with literary critique, offering his reflections on the places he visited and the books that influenced him. His essay collections, such as “Latitudes” (1934), engage with literary criticism and cultural reflections, offering insights into his intellectual development.

In addition to his original prose, Carrera Andrade wrote numerous introductions and literary studies on topics ranging from Ecuadorian literature to European modernism, further solidifying his role as a leading intellectual figure.

Translation Work

Jorge Carrera Andrade was not only a prolific poet but also a skilled translator, particularly of French literature. His translation efforts played a significant role in bringing European literary modernism to Spanish-speaking audiences. One of his most notable translation projects was an anthology of Pierre Reverdy, a French poet associated with Cubism and Surrealism. Reverdy’s minimalist, abstract style resonated with Carrera Andrade’s own poetic sensibilities, especially his focus on the essential nature of objects and the metaphysical aspects of everyday life. This anthology, published in 1936, helped introduce Reverdy’s work to the Spanish-speaking world, where his influence was less well-known at the time. For his work in translating French poetry, Carrera Andrade was awarded the prestigious Isla de San Luis Prize.

Carrera Andrade also translated the works of Paul Valéry, another major figure in French literature. Valéry’s intellectual and philosophical poetry, including the famous “Le Cimetière marin” (The Graveyard by the Sea), found a new audience through Carrera Andrade’s meticulous translations. Valéry’s preoccupations with human consciousness, mortality, and the nature of artistic creation mirrored themes in Carrera Andrade’s own work, making him a natural translator of Valéry’s complex verse.

In addition to translating poetry, Carrera Andrade brought French prose to Spanish readers. He translated works like “El Hotel del Norte” by Eugène Dabit, a French novelist whose work reflected the gritty realities of working-class life in France. Carrera Andrade’s translations of both poetry and prose demonstrate his deep engagement with French culture and his efforts to bridge the literary worlds of Europe and Latin America.

By introducing Spanish-speaking readers to some of the most influential French writers of the early 20th century, Carrera Andrade helped foster a cross-cultural exchange that enriched both literary traditions. His translations remain a significant part of his legacy, reflecting his dedication to expanding the reach of global literary movements.

Diplomatic Career and International Influence

Simultaneous to his literary career, Carrera Andrade embarked on a distinguished diplomatic career that spanned over three decades. His entry into the world of diplomacy began in 1928, when he was appointed Ecuador’s Consul in Peru. His subsequent postings took him across the globe, including to France, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. His time in these countries not only expanded his worldview but also deeply influenced his writing, as he absorbed the literary and cultural atmospheres of each locale.

One of his most significant diplomatic roles came in 1940, when he was appointed Consul General of Ecuador in San Francisco, United States. This period marked a critical phase in his literary career, as he developed strong relationships with prominent American poets and writers. Figures like William Carlos Williams, Archibald MacLeish, and Carl Sandburg championed his work in the United States. His poetry, especially the collection “Secret Country”, translated by Muna Lee in 1946, gained widespread acclaim, solidifying his international reputation.

During this time, Carrera Andrade’s poetry increasingly reflected his cosmopolitan experiences. His famous poem, “Canto al puente de Oakland” (Song to the Oakland Bridge, 1941), written during his stay in San Francisco, illustrates the poet’s ability to merge local, modern imagery with broader existential themes. The poem exemplifies his shift toward a more universalist poetic vision, where industrial progress and human experience coalesce into powerful metaphors.

Following his success in the United States, Carrera Andrade was appointed Ambassador to Venezuela and later served as Ecuador’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO in Paris from 1952 to 1958. His time in France proved fruitful for both his diplomatic and literary careers. At UNESCO, he worked to promote cultural cooperation between nations, all while continuing to write and publish poetry that reflected his deepening global consciousness. During these years, he also translated major works of French poetry into Spanish, further cementing his role as a cultural intermediary between Latin America and Europe.

Mature Poetry and Later Diplomatic Service

By the late 1950s, Carrera Andrade had established himself as a leading figure in Latin American poetry. His work during this period, particularly the collection “Hombre planetario” (Planetary Man, 1959), is considered one of his most mature and profound contributions to modern poetry. “Hombre planetario” reflects Carrera Andrade’s philosophical musings on humanity’s place in the cosmos, drawing on his experiences as a diplomat and world traveler. The poem’s themes of universalism, the tension between nature and technology, and the fragility of human existence resonate deeply with the concerns of the mid-20th century.

Carrera Andrade’s diplomatic career continued alongside his literary output. In 1966, he briefly served as Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, a prestigious role that capped his long career in public service. However, he quickly became disillusioned with the political maneuvering in Ecuadorian politics and resigned after less than a year in the position. After his resignation, he returned to the diplomatic corps, serving as Ecuador’s Ambassador to the Netherlands until his retirement in 1969.

Teaching Career and Final Years

After retiring from active diplomatic service, Carrera Andrade spent several years teaching in the United States. In 1969, he was appointed Distinguished Visiting Professor at Stony Brook University, where he lectured on Romance languages and Latin American literature. His presence at the university was a significant boon for the institution, which also acquired a substantial archive of his manuscripts, letters, and unpublished works, now housed in the Jorge Carrera Andrade Collection at the university’s library. During this time, Carrera Andrade also guest lectured at Harvard University and Vassar College, further cementing his reputation as a leading cultural figure in Latin American studies.

After two years in the United States, Carrera Andrade returned to Ecuador, where he was appointed Director of the National Library of Ecuador in 1976. His later years were marked by declining health, including struggles with Parkinson’s disease, which gradually slowed his once-prolific output. Despite these challenges, he continued to write, publish, and mentor younger poets.

In 1977, Carrera Andrade received Ecuador’s highest cultural honor, the Premio Nacional Eugenio Espejo, in recognition of his lifetime achievements in literature and diplomacy. This award marked a culmination of decades of work that bridged the worlds of art and politics.

Personal Life

Jorge Carrera Andrade’s personal life was as dynamic and cosmopolitan as his professional career. He was married twice and had two children, though his personal relationships were marked by separation due to the demands of his diplomatic career.

In 1936, Carrera Andrade married Paulette Colin Lebas, a French woman he met during his time in France. Together, they had two children, but their marriage was often strained by his diplomatic postings, which required frequent relocations and long periods apart. Paulette accompanied Carrera Andrade to various international posts, including Yokohama, Japan, where he served as Consul. However, the constant travel and the pressures of diplomatic life eventually took a toll on their relationship. By the late 1940s, the couple had separated, and Paulette returned to France with their children. The dissolution of their marriage was a significant emotional blow for Carrera Andrade, and it influenced some of his later poetic works, which reflect a sense of personal loss and longing.

In 1952, Carrera Andrade married Janine Ruffier des Aimes, another French woman with whom he shared a deep intellectual connection. Janine supported him during his later years in France while he worked at UNESCO and continued his diplomatic career. Their relationship appeared to be more stable, as they spent several years together in Paris, where Carrera Andrade’s literary and diplomatic careers flourished.

Carrera Andrade’s children from his first marriage, a son and a daughter, played a less visible role in his public life, likely due to the geographical distances created by his career. While much of his personal correspondence and autobiographical writings focus on his professional achievements, he also expressed a deep affection for his family and a sense of regret over the difficulties that his career created in maintaining close familial bonds.

In his later years, after his diplomatic career ended, Carrera Andrade returned to Ecuador and lived a more settled life, although he remained separated from his children, who continued to live in France. His final years were marked by health struggles, particularly Parkinson’s disease, which limited his ability to travel and further strained his familial relationships. Nonetheless, his marriages and personal experiences deeply influenced his literary output, particularly his reflections on exile, displacement, and the passage of time.

Political Views and Involvement

Jorge Carrera Andrade’s political views were shaped by the progressive intellectual environment in which he grew up. As a young man, he aligned himself with socialist ideals and became actively involved in Ecuador’s Socialist Party. Between 1927 and 1928, he briefly served as Secretary-General of the Socialist Party of Ecuador, demonstrating his early commitment to political change and social justice.

His early poetry often reflected socialist ideals, with poems like “Canto a Rusia” expressing admiration for the Russian Revolution and Lenin’s leadership. While his later poetry moved away from overt political themes, his concerns about inequality and social justice remained a constant undercurrent in his work.

Carrera Andrade’s diplomatic career also intersected with his political views. His appointments to various diplomatic posts reflected his commitment to internationalism and his belief in the importance of cross-cultural dialogue. His brief tenure as Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1966 was the culmination of his political and diplomatic career, though his disillusionment with political maneuvering in Ecuadorian politics led him to resign after less than a year in the role.

Despite his retreat from active politics later in life, Carrera Andrade remained a committed advocate for cultural diplomacy and the promotion of Ecuadorian literature on the global stage.

Carrera’s Work in English Translation and Reception

Jorge Carrera Andrade’s work gained significant attention in the English-speaking world through the efforts of dedicated translators, most notably Muna Lee, H.R. Hays, and Steven Ford Brown. His poetry, known for its vivid imagery, metaphysical reflections, and deep engagement with nature, resonated with American readers and poets, contributing to his lasting reputation as one of Latin America’s leading literary figures of the 20th century.

Key English Translations

One of the most impactful translations of Carrera Andrade’s work was Muna Lee’s translation of “Secret Country”, published in 1946. This collection introduced Carrera Andrade’s poems to an American audience and was instrumental in bringing his distinctive voice to the fore. Lee, a prominent translator of Latin American literature, captured the precision and lyricism of his verses, which often focus on small, seemingly mundane objects infused with cosmic significance. “Secret Country” became widely appreciated in the U.S., helping establish Carrera Andrade’s literary presence abroad.

In 1972, H.R. Hays published “The Selected Poems of Jorge Carrera Andrade”, a more comprehensive anthology that further expanded his visibility. This collection was released by State University of New York Press and included a variety of Carrera Andrade’s work from different periods of his career. Hays’s translations maintained the subtlety and clarity of the original Spanish, preserving Carrera Andrade’s characteristic brevity and reflective tone.

The renewed interest in Carrera Andrade’s work led to subsequent translations in the 21st century. Steven Ford Brown’s translation, “Century of the Death of the Rose: The Selected Poems of Jorge Carrera Andrade (1926–1976)”, first published in 2002 and reprinted in 2020, became one of the most definitive collections of his poetry in English. Brown’s careful selection and translation of his work, spanning 50 years of the poet’s career, offered English-speaking readers a more comprehensive understanding of his evolution as a poet.

In 2011, a more experimental and focused translation of Carrera Andrade’s “Microgramas” was published by Wave Books, translated by Alejandro de Acosta and Joshua Beckman. This collection introduced his minimalist, haiku-inspired poems to a broader audience, showing another facet of his literary creativity.

Reception in the English-Speaking World

Carrera Andrade’s poetry was well-received in the United States, especially by poets and critics who appreciated his modernist approach. Prominent figures in American poetry, such as William Carlos Williams, were deeply impressed by his clear, imagistic style. Williams, in particular, praised Carrera Andrade’s ability to evoke a “primitive” clarity and connection to the natural world. He remarked, “The images of Jorge Carrera Andrade are so extraordinarily clear, so connected to the primitive I imagine I am… participating in a vision already lost to the world. It is a place melancholy but grand.”

American literary circles also recognized his unique synthesis of Latin American themes with a global, cosmopolitan outlook. Carrera Andrade’s work, deeply rooted in Ecuadorian landscapes and experiences, spoke to universal concerns—nature, time, and the human condition—rendered through a global lens. His poetry appealed to modernist readers who valued the integration of local specificity with universal metaphysical themes.

The response from critics in English-speaking countries often highlighted Carrera Andrade’s metaphysical approach to nature. His poetry’s ability to transform mundane objects, like a nut or a turtle, into profound reflections on life and existence fascinated many American readers. His translations opened up new possibilities for Latin American poetry in the United States, contributing to the broader movement of pan-American literary exchange during the mid-20th century.

Despite his growing recognition in the English-speaking world, Carrera Andrade never achieved the widespread fame of contemporaries like Pablo Neruda or Octavio Paz. However, he earned a reputation as a poet’s poet, deeply admired by fellow writers and intellectuals for his disciplined use of language and his innovative approach to poetic form.

Today, Carrera Andrade’s work continues to find readers in English translation. His poetry’s focus on the natural world and its intricate metaphors resonate with contemporary environmental concerns, and his minimalist, global style ensures his relevance across cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Legacy and Posthumous Recognition

Jorge Carrera Andrade passed away on November 7, 1978, in his beloved city of Quito, Ecuador. His death marked the end of an era in Latin American poetry, but his influence continues to be felt. Carrera Andrade’s works remain essential reading in Latin American literature, celebrated for their fusion of local imagery with universal themes. His “microgramas”, in particular, stand as a testament to his ability to distill complex emotions and ideas into concise, powerful expressions.

Carrera Andrade’s legacy is also preserved through numerous posthumous publications and academic studies of his work. Scholars have praised his ability to engage with the political and cultural complexities of his time while maintaining a deeply personal and lyrical voice. His contributions to Ecuadorian and Latin American literature are often compared to those of his contemporaries, such as Pablo Neruda and Octavio Paz, though his unique focus on small, everyday objects and his cosmopolitan outlook set him apart from his peers.

In honor of his literary achievements, Ecuador created the Premio Jorge Carrera Andrade in 1989, an annual award given to the best poetry book published in the country. This prize cements his status as a key figure in Ecuadorian literature, ensuring that his influence on the nation’s poetry continues to inspire new generations of writers. Past recipients include: Ulises Estrella, Violeta Luna, Miguel Donoso Pareja, Ernesto Carrión, and María Auxiliadora Balladares.

In 2003, Ecuador celebrated the centennial of Carrera Andrade’s birth, further cementing his status as one of the country’s most important literary figures. Monuments, conferences, and publications continue to honor his contributions to world literature, ensuring that his legacy endures for future generations.

TIMELINE

Early Life and Education
  • September 18, 1903 – Born in Quito, Ecuador.
  • 1908 – Enrolled at Carmen Bajo School in Quito.
  • 1911 – Moved to a larger home in Quito, where he continued his education.
  • 1915 – Began attending the Mejía National Institute in Quito.
  • 1922 – Published first poetry collection, “El estanque inefable”.
  • 1922 – Contributed to Aurora Estrada y Ayala’s magazine “Proteo”.
  • 1923 – Became editor of the socialist newspaper “Humanidad”.
  • 1924 – Published the second poetry collection, “La guirnalda del silencio”.
Early Diplomatic Career and Literary Work
  • 1928 – Appointed as Ecuador’s Consul in Peru.
  • 1928–1933 – Served as Ecuadorian Consul in various European countries, including France.
  • 1930 – Published “Boletines de mar y tierra” (Bulletins of Sea and Land).
  • 1936 – Published the anthology of Pierre Reverdy’s poetry.
  • 1936 – Married Paulette Colin Lebas.
  • 1937 – Published “Biografía para uso de los pájaros” in Paris.
  • 1938 – Appointed as Consul in Yokohama, Japan.
  • 1940 – Published “Microgramas” and “País secreto” in Tokyo.
  • 1940 – Appointed as Consul General of Ecuador in San Francisco, United States.
  • 1941 – Published “Canto al puente de Oakland” (Song to the Oakland Bridge).
  • 1946 – Muna Lee’s translation of “Secret Country” was published in the United States, gaining him recognition there.
Mid-Career: Diplomatic and Literary Expansion
  • 1946–1947 – Served as Ambassador to Venezuela.
  • 1947 – Served as Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
  • 1951 – Returned to France as Ecuador’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO in Paris.
  • 1952 – Married Janine Ruffier des Aimes.
  • 1953 – Published “Familia de la noche” (Family of the Night).
  • 1957–1959 – Published “Hombre planetario” (Planetary Man), one of his most significant works.
  • 1958 – Returned to Ecuador after finishing his term at UNESCO.
Later Diplomatic and Teaching Career
  • 1960 – Appointed to Ecuador’s Permanent Delegation to the United Nations.
  • 1961 – Published “Viaje por países y libros”.
  • 1964 – Appointed Ambassador to Nicaragua.
  • 1965 – Appointed Ambassador to France.
  • November 1966–June 1967 – Served briefly as Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
  • 1967 – Appointed Ambassador to the Netherlands.
Final Years: Teaching and Later Works
  • 1969 – Appointed Distinguished Visiting Professor at Stony Brook University, Long Island.
  • 1969 – Donated his archive of written materials (1923-1970) to Stony Brook University.
  • 1970 – Published his autobiography “El volcán y el colibrí” (The Volcano and the Hummingbird).
  • 1972 – Published “Obra poética completa” (Complete Poetic Works).
  • 1972 – Concluded his teaching at Stony Brook University and returned to Ecuador.
  • 1976 – Appointed Director of the National Library of Ecuador.
Awards and Final Recognition
  • 1977 – Awarded Ecuador’s highest cultural honor, the Premio Nacional Eugenio Espejo.
  • 1978 – Published “Obra poética completa” and “Selected Poems” in English.
Death
  • November 7, 1978 – Died in Quito, Ecuador, at the age of 75.
Posthumous
  • 2003 – Ecuador celebrated the centenary of his birth, and a memorial plaque was installed in Paris.

Jorge Carrera Andrade Collection at Stony Brook University

In 1969, Stony Brook University in New York acquired a significant collection of Jorge Carrera Andrade’s personal papers, manuscripts, and unpublished works. This collection, known as the Jorge Carrera Andrade Collection, is housed in the university’s Special Collections and University Archives and offers invaluable insight into the life and work of one of Latin America’s foremost poets.

The collection spans materials from 1923 to 1970 and consists of approximately 10.8 cubic feet of documents. These materials include autobiographical writings, poetry drafts, corrected typescripts, personal and professional correspondence, as well as postcards, telegrams, and reviews from literary journals and newspapers. The collection is meticulously organized into several series, each covering different aspects of Carrera Andrade’s literary, diplomatic, and personal life.

Key items in the collection include correspondence with major literary figures like Pablo Neruda, Gabriela Mistral, and Alfonso Reyes, offering a glimpse into his connections with other prominent intellectuals of the 20th century. His poetry manuscripts, many of which feature handwritten annotations, reveal his creative process and evolution as a writer over the decades. The collection also contains albums of clippings and reviews that document his literary career’s public reception in multiple countries, reflecting the global impact of his work.

The Jorge Carrera Andrade Collection remains an essential resource for scholars studying Latin American literature, Ecuadorian poetry, and diplomatic history, providing an in-depth look at his multifaceted life and the development of his poetic vision.

For researchers, this collection offers access to a wealth of unpublished materials that shed light on both his literary craft and his diplomatic achievements. By preserving these documents, Stony Brook University has ensured that Jorge Carrera Andrade’s legacy continues to inspire future generations of poets and intellectuals.

A short video bio of Jorge Carrera Andrade (Spanish audio)

Poems

Translated by Richard Gabela on November 21, 2024.

Solitude of the Cities

Without knowing my number,
enclosed by walls and boundaries,
I walk beneath a prisoner's moon,
a perpetual shadow chained to my ankle.

Living borders rise,
one step beyond my footsteps.

There is no north or south, east or west—
only a multiplied solitude,
a solitude divided among a cipher of men.
Time races in the circus of the clock,
the luminous navel of streetcars,
bells with athletic shoulders,
walls that spell out two or three colored words—
all are made of solitary matter.

An image of solitude:
the bricklayer singing on a scaffold,
a fixed raft in the sky.
Other images of solitude:
the traveler immersed in a newspaper,
the waiter hiding a portrait in his chest pocket.

The city wears a mineral face.
Its urban geometry is less beautiful
than the shapes we learned in school:
a triangle, an egg, a sugar cube—
these first initiated us into the festival of forms.

Only later came the circumference:
the first woman,
the first moon.

Where were you, solitude,
that I did not know you until I turned twenty?
In trains, in mirrors, in photographs—
you are always by my side now.

Peasants are less alone,
bound as one with the earth.
The trees are their children,
they observe the weather's changes in their own flesh,
and the saints' calendar of small creatures serves as their guide.

This solitude is nourished by books,
by walks, by pianos, by fragments of crowds,
by cities and skies conquered by machines,
by sheets of foam
unfurling toward the edge of the sea.
Everything has been invented,
but there is nothing that can free us from solitude.

The playing cards guard the secret of attics.
Sobs are meant to be smoked in a pipe.
There have been attempts to bury solitude in a guitar.
We know it roams through vacant floors,
trades in the garments of suicides,
and tangles messages in telegraph wires.


Soledad de las ciudades

Sin conocer mi número.
Cercado de murallas y de límites.
Con una luna de forzado
y atada a mi tobillo una sombra perpetua.

Fronteras vivas se levantan
a un paso de mis pasos.

No hay norte ni sur, este ni oeste,
sólo existe la soledad multiplicada,
la soledad dividida para una cifra de hombres.
La carrera del tiempo en el circo del reloj,
el ombligo luminoso de los tranvías,
las campanas de hombros atléticos,
los muros que deletrean dos o tres palabras de color,
están hechos de una materia solitaria.

Imagen de la soledad:
el albañil que canta en un andamio,
fija balsa del cielo.
Imágenes de la soledad:
el viajero que se sumerge en un periódico,
el camarero que esconde un retrato en el pecho.

La ciudad tiene apariencia mineral.
La geometría urbana es menos bella
que la que aprendimos en la escuela.
Un triángulo, un huevo, un cubo de azúcar
nos iniciaron en la fiesta de las formas.

Sólo después fue la circunferencia:
la primera mujer y la primera luna.

¿Dónde estuviste, soledad,
que no te conocí hasta los veinte años?
En los trenes, los espejos y las fotografias
siempre estás a mi lado.

Los campesinos se hallan menos solos
porque forman una misma cosa con la tierra.
Los árboles son hijos suyos,
los cambios de tiempo observan en su propia carne
y les sirve de ejemplo la santoral de los animalitos.

La soledad está nutrida de libros,
de paseos, de pianos y pedazos de muchedumbre,
de ciudades y cielos conquistados por la máquina,
de pliegos de espuma
desenrollándose hasta el límite del mar.
Todo se ha inventado,
mas no hay nada que pueda librarnos de la soledad.

Los naipes guardan el secreto de los desvanes.
Los sollozos están hechos para ser fumados en pipa.
Se ha tratado de enterrar la soledad en una guitarra.
Se sabe que anda por los pisos desalquilados,
que comercia con los trajes de los suicidas
y que enreda los mensajes en los hilos telegráficos.

Source of Spanish Version / Fuente:
Carrera Andrade, Jorge. Obra poética. Quito: Ediciones Acuario, 2000, pp. 253–254.

List of works

Poetry

  • Poesia ultima, ed. with introduction, J. Enrique Qjeda, New York: Las Americas Publishing Co., 1968.
  • Planetary Man, Quito: Editorial Elan, 1963.
  • Family of Night, Paris: Libreria Espanola de Ediciones, 1953.
  • Place of Origin, Caracas: Editions: Suma, 1944.
  • Secret Country, Tokyo, Editions Aisa America, 1940.
  • Anthology of Pierre Reverdy, Tokyo: Editions Asia America, 1939.
  • Biography for The Use Of Birds, Paris: Cuadernos del Hombre Nuevo, 1937; French translation by Edmond Vandercammen, Brussels: Les Cahiers du Journal des Poetes, 1937. Read the original Spanish version for free here.
  • Time Manual, Madrid: Editions Literatura: PEN Coleccion, 1935; French translation by Adolphe de Falgairolle, Paris: Editions Rene Debresse, 1936. Read the original Spanish version here.
  • Earth and Sea Bulletines (Foreword by Gabriela Mistral), Barcelona: Editorial Cervantes, 1930.
  • Indian Poems, Quito: Editorial Elan, 1928.
  • Wreath of Silence, Quito: Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, 1926.
  • La hora de las ventanas iluminadas (1937). Read the original Spanish version for free here.
  • Microgramas: Precedidos de un Ensayo y seguidos de una selección de haikais japoneses (1940) Read the original Spanish version for free here.
  • Registro del mundo: Antología poética, 1922-1939 (1940), Read the original Spanish version for free here.
  • Rol de la manzana: Poesías (1926-1929) (1935) Read the original Spanish version for free here.

Autobiography

  • The Volcano and The Hummingbird, Puebla, Mexico: Editorial Jose M. Caijica Jr., S.A., 1970.

Essays

  • Interpretations of Hispano-America, Quito: Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, 1967.
  • Latitudes, Quito: Talleres Graficos Nacionales, 1934; Buenos Aires: Editor “Parseo”,1940. Read the original Spanish version here.
  • History (A three volume history of Ecuador)
  • The Kingdom of Quito or Street of The Sun, Quito: Case de la Cultura Ecuatriana, 1963.
  • Gallery of Mystics and Insurgents, Quito: Casa de la Ecuatoriana, 1959.
  • Earth Always Green, Paris: Ediciones Internacionales, 1955.
  • Guía de la joven: poesía ecuatoriana, 1939. Read the original Spanish version here.

Memoir

  • Traveller Through Countries and Books, Quito: Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, 1961.

References

This article was updated on September 29, 2024.

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