“Frida Kahlo the writer” or the painter who loved words

If only a few weeks ago we were revisiting Frida Kahlo's artwork from a different angle, one where appearances were deceiving, today we bring you the great hidden side (one of them) of this prolific painter. It's well known that painting and writing have gone hand in hand throughout history. Famous too is the obsession of the poet William Blake with Dante's work and the many paintings he left to the arts. Even though in great artists there's always one side that stands out, that doesn't mean they aren't just as brilliant in those other faces that have stayed hidden. We've gathered some poems and letters written by the excellent surrealist painter.

1 poem by Frida or 1 desperate love letter

Frida Kahlo cultivated poetry in the manner of Sappho and Neruda, devoting her words to love. A few poems and fragments have come down to us that leave no room for doubt, an undying secret body of work, desperately Frida. As intimate and personal as her painting.

“You deserve a love that wants you with your hair a mess,
with everything and all the reasons that get you up in a hurry,
with everything and all the demons that won't let you sleep.

You deserve a love that makes you feel safe,
that could eat the world if it walks holding your hand,
that feels your embraces fit its skin perfectly.

You deserve a love that wants to dance with you,
that visits paradise every time it looks into your eyes,
and that never gets tired of reading your expressions.

You deserve a love that listens to you when you sing,
that backs you up when you make a fool of yourself,
that respects that you are free,
that goes with you in your flight,
that isn't afraid to fall.

You deserve a love that takes away the lies,
that brings you hope,
coffee and poetry.”

“He never was nor will he be mine.
He belongs to himself.
Life the silent giver of worlds,
what matters most is having no illusions.
Morning is born,
the red friends,
the great blues,
leaves in the hands,
noisy birds,
fingers in the hair,
dove nests,
rare understanding of the sister struggle,
simplicity of the song of unreason,
madness of the wind in my heart.
Sweet xocolatl of ancient Mexico,
storm in the blood that comes in through the mouth.
Compulsion,
omen,
laughter
and fine teeth,
pearl needles
for some gift on a seventh of July.
I ask for it,
it comes to me,
I sing,
singing,
from today I'll sing
our magic, love”.

Frida Kahlo's impact on literature

If she herself had tried to twist words, there were others who immortalised her forever in their writing. Other great women and men writers who are required reading if you want to go deeper into the context of her artwork, beyond the more contextual and biographical terms. Required reading includes Las siete cabritas by Elena Poniatowska, The Wounded Deer: Fourteen Poems After Frida Kahlo by Pascale Petit or Diego es el nombre del amor: el destino de Frida Kahlo by Bárbara Krause. Be that as it may, her shadow is long, as long as her light was. Even today she remains absolutely alive in her paintings and, more and more, in her poems too.