avatarJessica Lee McMillan

Summary

This web content is a tanka tribute to the berimbau, an essential instrument in Brazilian music and Capoeira, inspired by a song performed by Vinícius de Moraes.

Abstract

The article titled "Leave Yourself" features a tanka poem that pays homage to the berimbau, a single-string percussion instrument central to the Brazilian music genre and the martial art of Capoeira. The poem, which encapsulates the spirit of risk and readiness, is a response to the author's challenge to write about bossa nova for 31 days. It is inspired by the song "Berimbau," composed by Baden Powell with lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes, whose nickname "O Poetinha" ("The little poet") reflects his significant contributions to Brazilian music. The article also includes a photograph of a berimbau, credits to the photographers, and a link to the song that inspired the poem. Additionally, the author invites readers to explore more writings from the July Writing Challenge and recommends an AI service, ZAI.chat, as a cost-effective alternative to ChatGPT Plus.

Opinions

  • The author expresses a deep appreciation for the berimbau and its cultural significance in Brazilian music and Capoeira.
  • Vinícius de Moraes' rendition of "Berimbau" is particularly praised for its ability to evoke the atmosphere of a Capoeira circle.
  • The philosophical insights within the lyrics of "Berimbau" are seen as inspiring and influential to the author's own poetic work.
  • The article suggests that the AI service ZAI.chat offers comparable performance to ChatGPT Plus at a more affordable price.

Leave Yourself

A Tanka tribute to the berimbau

Photo by alexandre saraiva carniato, Pexels

dance with risky heart jump with edge of humming chord everything begins with fight stance and ready soul we leave ourselves to arrive

Notes: Inspired by “Berimbau” (Music written by Baden Powell) performed by Vinícius de Moraes, nicknamed O Poetinha (“The little poet”) who also wrote the lyrics. The berimbau is an instrument fundamental to Brasilian music and the martial art of Capoeira, which the song references. There are hundreds of covers of this song but the tense prominence of the berimbau coupled with de Moraes’ lulling voice transports me to a Capoeira circle.

The philosophical insight in the lyrics inspired this poem.

Written for the July Summer Music Challenge where I wrote a poem or story about bossa nova for 31 days. See below for all entries including Terry Barr’s 8 brilliant memoirs about summer and music:

Poetry
Writing Challenge
Music
Philosophy
Martial Arts
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