When it’s this it’s not thatCeCília Meireles

BRAZILIAN LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION #3

When it’s this it’s not that

When there’s rain from above, there’s no sun,if there’s sun, there’s no rain from above.

When i put on my glove, i can’t wear my ring, if i’m wearing my ring, there’s no place for the glove.

if you fly to the sky, you can’t stay on the ground,if you stay on the ground, you can’t fly to the sky.

it is really a shame that you just cannot bein two places at once; you can’t even try.

When i’m saving my cash, i can’t buy any candy,if i buy myself candy, i can’t save my cash.

When it’s that it’s not this, when it’s this it’s not that, i spend my whole day choosing which way to dash.

should i play with my toys or study my books?run about and around or sit still with no chat?

and i still have trouble understandingwhich one is better: if it’s this one, or that?

+ 7 years

WhEn IT’s ThIs IT’s noT ThAT CeCília MeirelesTranslated by Sarah Rebecca Kersley and Telma Franco Diniz Abud

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Flash flood

Go fetch alexandre!Go fetch him!

Watch the rain approach!it’s a flash flood.Watch it wash away the floor...

Watch out as the rain drenches one and all!Fetch the key to shut the door.shut the door to shield the lashing rain,watch the street awash!

Boil a fresh teapot on the hearth:Watch out for flames! for flashes!for the rain on the chopped up wood!

let’s relish in tea, as the rain lashesso much that even in galoshes we cannot slosh across the street!

Go fetch alexandre!Go fetch him!

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the catch

Basket of fish on the ground.shoals of fish in the sea.sharp smell of fish in the air.and fish on the ground.

Weeping waves cover the sandas the tide moves higher up the land.

The hands of the sea move up and downthe hands of the sea on the sandwhere all the fish can be found.

The hands of the sea move up and downbut always reboundnever reaching the groundwhere the fish can be found.

That’s why the waves always weep on the sandas they try in vain to move up the land.

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the little white horse

The little white horse at sundownfeels tired and grey;

but in the farm there’s a piece of groundwhere it’s always holiday.

so the little white horse tosses backhis long, blond mane,

and flings his white life to the mossesgiving it free rein.

When he whinnies, the roots trembleand he teaches the wind

the joy of having freedom to amble,trot and sprint.

He’s worked so hard all day!from dawn till the night came!

amid the flowers idle away, little white horsewith the golden mane.

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the mosquito writes

The long-legged mosquitotwists his leg, an M he makesthen he shakes, shakes, shakes,into a rather long O,then an s.

The mosquito flies high, then fallswith style, but far from view,he forms a Q,then U, then i, he scrawls.

This most curiousmosquitocrosses his leg, makes a T.Did you see?He plumps out: a second O is doneprettier than the other one.

Oh,illiterate he is not,this flying dot.Yes, he can sign on the line.

But then he’ll set his sighton someone he can bite,for writing isn’t always fun,don’t you think, little one?and it’s his feeding time.

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titmouse in its house

T has a toupee.T has toes.is it T who trills?

(Trill!)

Who is it?T cannot trill:T can’t do so.T just has toupeeand toes.

is that the toad?The toad can’t do so.

(Trill!)

it’s the titmousewho built his housein a tree hole.

Trill with toupee.Trill with toes.Trill-trill-trill-trill:Titmouse.

Titmousein a tree hole.

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the ballerina

This little missno bigger than thisthinks ballet is bliss.

she can’t tell her res from her Dosbut she knows how to stand on her toes.

she can’t tell a Fa from a solbut moves her body to and fro.

she can’t tell a lah from a Tibut closes her eyes full of glee.

Her arms stretched high, she twirls and twirls around,never dizzy or losing ground.

she covers her head with a veil and a star,telling us all she has come from afar.

This little missno bigger than thisthinks ballet is bliss.

But then all the moves disappear from her headand just like the other kids, she wants her bed.

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about the published book:

When it’s this it’s not thatCecília Meireles• Original title: Ou isto ou aquilo• ISBN: 978-85-260-1710-8• Publication year: 1964• Original publishing house: editora Giroflé• Number of pages: 48• Total printing in Brazil: 200.000 copies (at least).

seven editions published between 1964 and 2012, with seven different illustrators: the first edition, illustrated by Maria Bonomi, was published in 1964 by editora Giroflê; the second, illustrated by rosa Frisoni, came out in 1969, by editora Melhoramentos, and had one reprint; the next, illustrated by eleonora affonso, was published in 1977 by editora Civilização Brasileira; the following edition, illustrated by Fernanda Correia Dias, granddaughter of Meireles, was published in 1987, by editora Nova Fronteira; in 1990, the same Publishing House launched a new edition, illustrated by Beatriz Berman, with up to 33 reprints; the 6th edition, also launched by editora Nova Fronteira was illustrated by Thais linhares and released in 2002, with 18 reprints up to 2012, when Global editora published the 7th edition, illustrated by Odilon Moraes. altogether the book has sold more than 200.000 copies.

synopsis The poetry collection “Ou isto ou aquilo”, by Cecília Meireles (1901-1964), is one of the most beloved children’s books in the history of Brazilian literature. The poems are varied in their themes, but have in common a simple timelessness and connection to nature and the human spirit, which bestow on them a universal appeal. Orphaned at the age of three, Meireles was raised by her grandmother, who introduced her to riddles, songs and Brazilian folk tales, in which anything could be ‘enchanted’ or ‘bewitched’. immersed in that magical world, she developed a profound sense of being at one with the universe, animate and inanimate creatures. This early influence, as well as later experiences with her own children and grandchildren can be seen in this book, where the poems move from sentiments of loss in “The catch”, to tenderness in “The little white horse”, to sprightly humour in “The mosquito writes”, and swift-moving scenes and splashing sounds in “Flash flood”. Best known for her collections of poetry, Cecília was also an educator, and encouraged debate on literature for children and schooling methods. “Children should be given only the finest”, she once said about children’s literature. and she lived up to her words.

press revieWsOu isto ou aquilo is poetry that lets itself be caught by children, yet still remains a bird in flight. lucky are the children who discover this hoard of surprises. Whether read or listened to, these ballerina lines are for keeps for a child’s whole life. [Review by Carlos

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Drummond de Andrade. Correio da Manhã, page 6, July 10th, 1964] http://memoria.bn.br/pdf/089842/per089842_1964_21860.pdf

2. Global editora launches Ou isto ou aquilo by Cecília Meireles. This iconic book in the history of Brazilian literature for children has a firm place in the memory of several generations of readers. [Review by Fernanda Faustino. Global Editora, October 10th, 2012] http://www.globaleditora.com.br/noticias/global-editora-lanca-ou-isto-ou-aquilo-de-cecilia-meireles/

3. “Ou isto ou aquilo” is as classic as sunday roast. Cecília Meireles’ poems often evoke riddles, tongue-twisters, and nursery rhymes. They are intensely musical poems, and well worth reading aloud. [Review by Gabriela Romeu. Folha de S. Paulo, November 24th, 2012] http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folhinha/1189565-livro-de-cecilia-meireles-e-tao-classico-quanto-macarronada-de-domingo.shtml

4. With a natural and simple talent, in this book Cecília Meireles captures an enormous assortment of authentic language as used by adults and children. [Review by Xandra Stefanel. Revista do Brasil, November 13th, 2012.] http://www.redebrasilatual.com.br/revistas/77/curta-essa-dica

the authorCecília Benevides de Carvalho Meireles• Pen name: Cecília Meireles

• Other books: Poetryespectros (1919)Nunca mais… e Poema dos Poemas (1923)Baladas para el-rei (1925)Viagem (1939)Vaga música (1942)Mar absoluto e outros poemas (1945)retrato natural (1949)amor em leonoreta (1951)Doze noturnos de Holanda & O aeronauta (1952)romanceiro da inconfidência (1953)Poemas escritos na índia (1953)Pequeno Oratório de santa Clara (1955)Canções (1956)romance de santa Cecília (1957)a rosa (1957)Obra poética (1958)Metal rosicler (1960)antologia Poética (1963)solombra (1963)Poemas italianos (1968)O estudante empírico (1974)Morena, pena de amor (1976)Cânticos (1983)

Literature for children and young adultsCriança, meu amor (1924)a festa das letras (1937)Giroflé, Giroflá (1956)Ou isto ou aquilo (1964)Olhinhos de Gato (1980)

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Essays and ChroniclesBatuque, samba e macumba (1944)Problemas da literatura infantil (1951)escolha o seu sonho (1964)O que se diz e o que se entende (1980)Janela mágica (1983)Crônicas de viagem (1998)Crônicas de educação (2001)

• Author’s webpage:http://www.globaleditora.com.br/autores/busca-de-autores/?autoriD=1007

the translatorsSarah Rebecca Kersley and Telma Franco Diniz

sarah rebecca Kersley is a British translator and writer based in Brazil. Her work has appeared in journals and reviews in Brazil and the Usa, including

translations of Brazilian poetry by Mario Quintana, sergio Capparelli, Carlito azevedo, among others. in her adopted Brazilian hometown of itacaré, Bahia, she created the town’s only bookshop and literary space, which throughout its four years of existence hosted regular events showcasing Brazilian poetry and literary fiction for the local community and international visitors.

Telma Franco Diniz was born in ituiutaba, Minas Gerais. she currently lives in são Paulo where she works as a translator and co-edits the literary translation journal “Cadernos de literatura em Tradução”. she received a Master’s in Translation studies from the Federal University of santa Catarina with a dissertation on some of her annotated translations of Cecília Meireles’ children’s poems into english.

publication rights

Dr. alexandre Carlos Teixeira solombra - agência literáriarua smith de Vasconcelos, 30Cosme Velho - CeP 22241-160rio de Janeiro /rJPhone number: +55 21 2557-4284http://www.solombrabooks.com/solombra@solombra.orgateixeira@solombra.org