Poeta do Tietê | Mayara Souza | TEDxSaoPauloSalon

Translator: MM Rocha Reviewer: Maricene Crus

After a childhood lived inside the maid’s room

and cartoons,

I had a teenage years that oscillated between drug outlets

and books.

Today, I go to foundations-houses,

prisons, forums,

I’m a manager and a counselor.

of one of the most beautiful and important social projects.

I live unimaginable loves.

During college,

I had the honor of being presented to the “Marginal Literature Movement”.

And I discovered that within the neighborhoods known as the most dangerous

of the city of São Paulo,

such as Jardim Ângela, Brasilândia and Grajaú,

there are people who find themselves

to exchange art,

declaim poetry

I joined the “Collective Poets of the Tietê”, and in the last two years,

together, we carry out various social actions,

sarahs, in all corners of the city,

within the foundations-houses and prisons.

And every time we go to the street, start a job,

we do a poetic prayer,

and I want to share this prayer with you,

at this time.

So I’ll ask those who feel comfortable

to hold hands with whoever is by your side.

I’ll declaim a poem called “Armor.”

The name of the poet is Ni Brisant.

I’m afraid to cling to the ground,

to get used to living underneath

and forget how to get up,

but afraid to fall,

I lost time.

I’m afraid my love will end before I’m happy,

that my daughter may remember the memory of a father who is not me,

and that my friends do not recognize me when our photos grow old,

but afraid of loneliness, I do not have alone.

Courage,

courage is every step taken in the opposite direction to what we are,

when even the treacherous failure can not dishonor our struggle.

And even when our greatest enemy happens to be an achievement,

because he is not afraid who has nothing to lose.

And between us, it must be very stupid who has nothing to lose.

Defend your joy, defend your love,

defend your honor, defend yourself!

Otherwise, no one will ever fight for you.

Because to feel fear is to be human,

but to have the courage to carry God

inside yourself.

But not this God made in alleys, alleys, pharmacies and supermarkets.

It is carrying God within you.

And here is the last mantra,

armor and prayer for a lifetime:

courage, courage, courage, courage,

courage!

Thank you, TED!

(Applause)