Canto Negro

Carlos Drummond de Andrade's 'Canto Negro' is a profound exploration of identity, memory, and the complex interplay between race and personal history. The poem delves into the poet's introspection as he gazes into a metaphorical 'black well,' symbolizing a deep, perhaps subconscious, part of himself that he struggles to fully understand or reach. This well represents the poet's lost innocence and the eyes he had as a child, suggesting a longing for a simpler, more comprehensible past.

The poem is rich with imagery and metaphors that evoke a sense of nostalgia and loss. The 'black' in the poem is not just a color but a representation of the poet's inner turmoil and the cultural and racial complexities he grapples with. The references to 'preto' (black) and 'branco' (white) throughout the poem highlight the dichotomy and tension between these identities. The poet reminisces about a shared, bittersweet essence of life, marked by both love and suffering, which he associates with the blackness of his memories and experiences.

Drummond's use of vivid, almost surreal imagery, such as 'a rodar pelas calçadas' (rolling through the sidewalks) and 'numa garrafa de breu' (in a bottle of pitch), paints a picture of a world where the boundaries between reality and memory blur. The poem's conclusion, where the poet sees a bird and a desire in the well, suggests a glimmer of hope or a new beginning, even as he acknowledges the passage of time and the loss of youth. 'Canto Negro' is a poignant reflection on the poet's journey through life, marked by a deep connection to his cultural roots and a continuous search for self-understanding.