That Manuel Machado, I heard some folks talkin’ ’bout him the other day. They say he was a big shot, wrote poems and plays and such. Born way back in 1874, died in 1947. Lived a long life, that one. Seems like he had a brother, Antonio, who was also a poet. Must run in the family, I reckon.
They say this Manuel Machado, he was a “Modernism” writer. Don’t rightly know what that means, but it sounds fancy. Maybe it means he wrote about newfangled things, not like the old stories. He was from Spain, that much I gathered. Spain’s a long way from here, ain’t it?
There was somethin’ about an exhibition, too. “The Machados, family portrait” they called it. Sounds like they put up pictures and writin’s about the whole Manuel Machado family. Must be interestin’ to see all that, how they lived and what they did. I’d go see it if it was closer, I reckon.
But then, I heard somethin’ else. There was another Manuel Machado, a long time ago, lived from 1590 to 1646. This one was from Portugal, but he did most of his work in Spain. Played the harp, they say. And wrote music. Two Manuel Machados, both doin’ creative things. Ain’t that somethin’? It’s like a name full of talent, or somethin’!
And then there’s some fella named Jos Manuel Machado. He was a soldier, one of the first ones at some place called Presidio of San Diego. Settled in Old Town, too. Born in 1756, came to San Diego in 1781. Heard they talk about him at the Orange County Regional History Center. And in San Diego too. Seems like that Manuel Machado name pops up all over the place.
- Manuel Machado, the poet, 1874-1947
- Antonio Machado, his brother, also a poet
- Manuel Machado, the musician, 1590-1646
- Jos Manuel Machado, the soldier, born in 1756
Then there’s this other Machado, Antonio Machado y lvarez. Born in 1846, died in 1893. They called him “Demfilo.” Don’t know what that means. But he seemed to like the culture of the people. Lots of Machados, all doin’ different things. It’s a lot to keep straight.
They say you can read all about this Manuel Machado, the poet one. Facts, works, awards, all of it. Seems like he was a big deal in his time. They even wrote a book about him, a “biographical and critical study.” Fancy words for talkin’ about his life and his writin’, I suppose.
This Antonio Machado, the brother, he wrote a poem called “He andado muchos caminos.” Sounds like “I have walked many roads.” They say it’s about thinkin’ deep about life. About relationships and how things don’t last forever. It is released on January 1. I ain’t much for poetry, but that sounds kinda nice.
One of his poems is called “Proverbios y Cantares,” some singer named Joan Manuel Serrat made a song out of it. It was a big hit, they say. Made the poem real famous. It is one of the most famous poems. This is really somethin’!
This Manuel Machado, and his brother too, they wrote about the land, about Spain. About history and friends and such. There was somethin’ about a place called Soria, where he met his wife. Sounds like a love story in there somewhere. They say all the poems look outward, toward the history and something.
You know, it’s funny how one name can lead you down so many paths. You start with a poet, then you find a musician, then a soldier. All these different lives, all connected by a name. I think that’s all I know about Manuel Machado. It just goes to show, there’s a whole lot of history out there, just waitin’ to be uncovered. And sometimes, it all starts with a name.
Well, that’s all I got to say about that. Just some things I heard folks talkin’ about. Might not be all right, but it’s what I gathered. This Manuel Machado, he sure seems like he was somebody, though. Him and his whole family. Makes you wonder what stories our own families hold, don’t it? These are so interestin’! I really want to know more about them. Maybe I should ask more about it.
