We join in Barcelona Poetry 2026 with a sample of the poet's books Joan Alcover (1852-1929) that form part of the Catalan Poetry Collection of the Rector Gabriel Ferraté Library, from May 14 to 22 at Planta 0.
The Balanguera
The mysterious Balanguera
like a spider of subtle art,
empty as empty as its blade,
from our life pulls the thread.
Like a very thoughtful fate
weaving the fabric for tomorrow.
The Balanguera rows, rows,
the Balanguera will spin.
Turning my gaze back
watch the shadows of the plane,
and the new spring
knows where the seed is hidden.
He knows that the stump climbs the most
the deeper it can take root.
The Balanguera rows, rows,
the Balanguera will spin.
Of traditions and hopes
Weave the flag for the youth
like someone who makes a wedding veil
with hair of gold and silver
of the childhood that climbs, of the
old age is leaving.
The Balanguera rows, rows,
the Balanguera will spin.
"The Balanguera", in commemoration of the 123rd anniversary of its first public reading at the Gran Hotel de Palma (1903).
