Selected Poems by Antonio Machado

Antonio Machado, born on 26 July 1875 in Seville, Spain, was a Spanish poet and a prominent member of the Generation of ’98 literary group. He began his poetic work with a modernist approach, this eventually maturing into a unique blend of intimate symbolism and romantic elements, reflecting profound humanity and contemplative insight.

Machado relocated to Madrid in 1883 - his passion for literature being fostered by his education at the Institución Libre de Enseñanza. Financial constraints led him to various jobs, including acting. A significant period of his life was spent in Paris (1899), where he engaged with notable French Symbolist poets.

His literary career burgeoned with the publication of his first poems in 1901, followed by his initial poetry collection, “Soledades,” in 1903. Machado’s style evolved noticeably with “Campos de Castilla” in 1912, revealing a simpler, more impactful style. His personal life was marked by his marriage to Leonor Izquierdo in 1909 and her subsequent death in 1912, which profoundly influenced his work.

Machado’s academic career included a tenure as a French professor in Soria, Baeza, Segovia, and later in Madrid. The Spanish Civil War (1936) dramatically affected his life, leading to his separation from his brother Manuel and a covert relationship with Pilar de Valderrama, referenced in his works as ‘Guiomar.’

Machado’s final years were tumultuous, due to the Civil War, culminating in his exile to Collioure, France, where he died on 22 February 1939. His work is marked by a deep exploration of Spain’s cultural and social landscape, blending personal introspection with broader social commentary. His works, including “Nuevas canciones” (1924) and “Poesías Completas” (1938), continue to influence modern poetry. Machado is remembered for his poignant observations on Spain’s dichotomous nature, encapsulated in his reference to “the two Spains.”

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