The most remembered phrases of León Felipe

There is a very particular charm in León Felipe’s phrases. They have that magic that arises from a keen sensitivity, united with lucid realism and captivating musicality. A great poet, who teaches a lot with his verses.

León Felipe’s phrases are like his life: surprising and exultant. No one would believe that a professional pharmacist would have had an almost mystical sensitivity to capture the great realities of the human soul and society. Perhaps that is why many think that he is an unclassifiable poet.

This famous Spanish writer toured his homeland as a traveling comedian. He also spent a few years in prison. for not having been able to pay some debts that loomed over him. He was also a tireless traveler, who lived in different latitudes. All this amalgamation of experiences makes León Felipe’s phrases have an unusual vitality.

“The Man is what matters. The Man there, naked under the night and facing the mystery, with his tragedy on his back, with his true tragedy, with his only tragedy… The one that emerges, the one that rises when we ask, when we scream in the wind. Who I am?”.

-León Felipe-

His real name was Felipe Camino Galicia de la Rosa. He is considered one of the great poets of the Spanish language, although in the opinion of some critics, his work has not yet been given all the relevance it deserves. Some of León Felipe’s most remembered phrases are the following.

The essence of poetry

This is one of those phrases by León Felipe that captivates, due to the forcefulness and beauty with which it is formulated. He says like this: “Undo that verse, take away the elements of the rhyme, the meter, the cadence and even the idea itself. throw the words and if there is still anything left afterward, that will be poetry”.

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In that statement the criteria with which León Felipe assumed poetry is captured. More than a nice play on words, I saw in it the most genuine expression of sensitivity human, the one that gives it meaning; and not the way he adopts to communicate.

One of León Felipe’s phrases about seeing

This is, without a doubt, a beautiful and profound verse. The poet declares: “Light… When my tears reach you the function of my eyes will no longer be to cry but see”. A splendid metaphor that tells us about the contrast between sadness and lucidity.

In this beautiful phrase the eyes are a metaphor of perspective. In a state of sadness, all they see is darkness, that’s why they cry. When that perspective becomes clear and reason appears, the invasive feeling of sadness is replaced by realism and understanding.

Don’t reach the goal alone

One of the striking aspects of León Felipe’s life was his conviction and passion for republican ideals in Spain.. When the civil war began, he was in Panama and immediately returned to his homeland, to decisively support the republican cause.

His collectivist vision of the world and his demand for solidarity in causes are captured in one of his wonderful phrases. It states: “I go with the reins tight and slowing down the flight because what matters is not arriving alone or soon, but arriving with everyone and on time.”.

The shipwrecks

León Felipe has been compared many times to Walt Whitman, due to the didactic tone of some of his verses.. Also for the vitality and forcefulness with which it offers a kind of guide to the good life. Like Whitman, he also claimed action and freedom.

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One of his phrases says: “Don’t be afraid of shipwreck because the treasure we are looking for, captain, is not in the heart of the port but at the bottom of the sea.”. With this statement he calls not to fear error or failure, even when they are extreme. In other words, for León Felipe, sinking or “hitting rock bottom” is also a way of finding a treasure: the truth.

Presence and distance

León Felipe says: “What does it matter that the star is remote and the rose undone? We will still have the shine and the aroma”. With this verse he tells us about many things at the same time. The first, that presence is much more than something physical. Something or someone is present when its effect and influence are perceived, even if they are physically far away.

Likewise, he points out that the fruits, works or effects of something are what give meaning to that something. It is not the star, but its shine. It is not the rose, but its aroma. In this way, a reality is valid due to the projection or impact it achieves.

In León Felipe’s phrases there is an inexplicable magic. Neither the prison in which he was for three years, nor the exile in which death surprised him, managed to take away that tenderness and strength that characterize him. His work is a true delight for the spirit.