Sobre Blanca Varela

Abstract

This is a tribute that María Auxiliadora Balladares extends to the famous poet Blanca Varela (Lima, 1926-2009), who upon her death left a small but exceptionally significant legacy. Notable figures that influenced the poetic construction of the Peruvian author were Octavio Paz and Emilio Adolfo Westphalen; and, ideologically, José María Arguedas. She is part of the 1950’s Generation in poetry, though during those years she lived outside of her country, before her final return in 1962. It is said that her poetry finds equilibrium between reflexive intentionality and image, revealing –through the lucid awareness of her limitations– a deeply human character. The conviction that epiphany can only arise from shadow is proposed as a key to reading.