A Whisper in the Wind is a collection of translated poems and folk songs in English and Brazilian Portuguese. As you go through the pages and appreciate the beauty of each line, you are invited to listen to your voice within.
A native of Brazil, literary translator Oliver Simões draws upon poetic renditions by Coleman Barks and Kabir Helminski, creating a unique and flavorful version of Rumi's poetry in Portuguese, in a book that's lavishly illustrated and a pleasure to read. Each translation is accompanied by the source-text in its counterpart language.
Themes of Love, Freedom, Social Justice, Inner Self, and Higher Power are present throughout the book, giving it a universal appeal.
The book features American poets, Robert Frost, Sara Teasdale, and Rose Marie Raccioppi.
Of special significance is the inclusion of some of Fernando Pessoa's poems, along with those of his heteronyms or alter egos, Alberto Caeiro, Ricardo Reis, and Álvaro de Campos. It's as if we were reading entirely different poets!
Also included is the translation of a masterpiece by Brazilian poet Olavo Bilac, as well as two pieces by Patrícia Galvão (a.k.a. "Pagu"), herself a pioneer translator of James Joyce and an important figure in Brazil's literature and politics.
Last but not least, A Whisper in the Wind gives a little taste of the poetry from Russia, in the voices of Anna Akhmatova, Alexander Borodin and Velimir Khlebnikov.
A tapestry of the world's poetry that is likely to touch every heart and soul...
