Dripping Words

«Madalena Férin, an esteemed poet and novelist, has significantly contributed to Portuguese literature, particularly poetry and modernist writing. Born in Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel Island, her early life on the island of Santa Maria played a crucial role in shaping her literary voice. The Azorean landscapes, traditions, and unique cultural atmosphere are intricately woven into her audacious poetry, providing a rich backdrop that resonates with a deep sense of place and identity. Her education in Philosophy at the Faculty of Letters in Lisbon further refined her intellectual and artistic sensibilities, leading her to explore profound themes in her inspiring poetry. Her poems confront us with the most intimate of who we are and who we want to be. She is an adventurous poet, taking each reader to the most intimate places within the power of language. As each reader will experience in this collection, Madalena Férin is genuinely a daring poet. Through her powerful words, metaphors, and similes, she abolishes all tabus and invites us to be truthful with ourselves and the world surrounding us. Her poetry is timeless. The legacy of Madalena Férin is firmly rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the Azores. Her literary journey, from the picturesque landscapes of her childhood and upbringing in Santa Maria Island to the intellectual circles of Lisbon, is a testament to her ability to bridge the gap between the past and the present, the local and the universal. Through her poetry, Madalena Férin has created a body of work that celebrates the Azores’ beauty and complexity and significantly contributes to the broader narrative of Portuguese language literature. This contribution makes her a significant figure in the literary history of the Azores, all of Portugal and a critical European poet of the last four decades of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century».

Diniz Borges
Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute
California State University, Fresno