Battle Weight + Smell

poem by Marinetti

Also known as: “Battaglia peso + odore”

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July 19, 2026

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The poem "Battaglia peso + odore" (1912), meaning "Battle Weight + Smell," by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, is an example of Futurist "words-in-freedom" poetry. This style aimed to liberate language from traditional syntax and typography, reflecting the dynamism and chaos of modern life, particularly war.12

Marinetti's work, like this poem, used a telegraphic style with pared-down language, onomatopoeia, and unconventional typography to convey intense experiences. The poem's extract showcases this with phrases like "Arterial-roads bulging heat fermenting armpits drum blinding blondness" and "machine guns rifle-fire explosion violins brass pim pum pac pac tim tum machine guns tataratatarata". This approach sought to make language more immediate and impactful, mirroring the sensory overload of conflict.12

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Futurism
Literature
…peso + odore” (1912; “Battle Weight + Smell”) was appended to one of the Futurists’ manifestos as an example of words-in-freedom:
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…peso + odore” (1912; “Battle Weight + Smell”) was appended to one of the Futurists’ manifestos as an example of words-in-freedom:
Read More