Shyness
prudence
half solutions
and half truths
the tepid roads
and consideration of the mighty
have not been, never, a sign
of evangelic transformation,
sign of creative revolution
Alfonso Comín – intelectual and politician – Zaragoza 1933 / Barcelona 1980
Alfonso Comín was born in Zaragoza in 1933 and he died in 1980 in Barcelona, 46 years old. He was an engineer and a Christian Socialist who under the dictatorship of Franco combined his religious convictions with revolutionary aspirations; an extraordinary mix given the role of the Catholic Church in those days. But Alfonso succeeded in applying a Christian sense of justice in his struggle against a fascist regime.
In 2000, coming from Amsterdam, I moved to Barcelona and started looking for a job as an architect. Visiting the interesting urban projects of the city, I passed by the Plaça Alfons Comín, designed by Victor Rahola; an urban square that covered the highway around the city with a garden, a soccer field and a shady pergola full with ivy. In the park I found this poem, telling me, reaffirming me in my guts feeling, that one should be brave throughout his life and take risks, in order to achieve a better world. The stones that this poem was carved in did remind me somewhat of the tomb stone of my late grandfather, but the message that stuck to me was one of hope and strength.
During two months I didn't get any response in my attempts to find work. Then in february 2000, after having stubbornly insited in my desire to work in this great city as an architect, I did get a job, in a great office. And a few months later by chance I met the son of Alfonso Comín, Pere. We became friends and he introduced me to an NGO, that helped homeless people where during nine years I have volunteered, spending my Saturday afternoons with people that had lost it all. I had a good time with them and I dear say that they also enjoyed my company. The architect and the homeless, an awkward combination.
I have always remembered this poem, encountered in the middle of an urban junction, as an inspiration in my second, Spanish, life.
- CityPoem Barcelona (1) - who will help us translate?
Inspiring Cities Museum of CityPoems
Inspiring Cities has collected many citypoems over the years, as well as organized salons with citypoets and cities doing special projects. We have two criteria for what a citypoem is: the intention must be poetic, and it must be in the public realm of cities. Shapes, form and locations can and do differ.
The Museum of CityPoems has citypoems from cities all over the world. From Alhambra to Zonnebeke, from Taipei to Lima.
Got one yourself? Mail us your pictures (free of rights) and description, and we will publish.