I composed these five nocturnes in 2020 inspired by this poem by Manuel Bandeira, translated by Elizabeth Bishop.

My Last Poem

I would like my last poem thus

That it be gentle saying the simplest and least intended things

That it be ardent like a tearless sob

That it have the beauty of almost scentless flowers

The purity of the flame in which the most limpid diamonds are consumed

The passion of suicides who kill themselves without explanation.

 

The beautiful photos are by Lydia Smith! See her work at lydiasmithphoto.com.

Nocturne #1 “That it be gentle saying the simplest and least intended things”

Nocturne #2: That it be ardent like a tearless sob

Nocturne #3: That it have the beauty of almost scentless flowers

Nocturne #4: The purity of the flame in which the most limpid diamonds are consumed

Nocturne #5: The passion of suicides who kill themselves without explanation