Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life — Terry Pratchett
Month: oktober 2017
Reading: L’Orangerie by Yves Bonnefoy
The French poet Yves Bonnefoy (1923-2016) published major collections of poetry throughout his livetime. He lived, and died, in Paris in 2016. Today, I read a poem headed 'L'Orangerie'. I didn't like the English translation by Galway Kinnell so I have improved it. As usual, here's the poem: THE ORANGERY Thus we walk on the ruins ...
Reading: Tourist by Yehuda Amichai
I like the accessible poetry of Yehuda Amichai. Today I read his poem 'Tourist' for a future anthology. Amichai (1924-2000) is generally considered the most important contemporary Israeli poet. She showed me her swaying hair in the four winds of her coming. I showed her some of my folding ways of life and the trick, and ...
Oh Catalonië
Een paar jaar geleden reden we met onze in Duitsland gekochte Franse auto rond in Catalonië. De auto had, zo moesten we later vaststellen, enkele gebreken met de brandstofleiding en het was een snikhete dag en het voertuig vloog dan ook in brand. We konden onze waardevolste bezittingen, waaronder enkele computers, 1 fototoestel, 3 paar schoenen, 2 paspoorten, ...
Reading: Distances by Philippe Jaccottet
Today's poem is by Swiss poet Philippe Jaccottet, born in 1925 and a prominent figure in the post-war era. The French original can be found here. Without further ado, as usual (ado can be googled and regurgitated), I do my reading. Swifts turn in the height of the air; higher still turn the invisible stars. When ...