Poetry

Reading: Autopsychography by Fernando Pessoa
I, or at least several of my heteronyms, am a 'fan' of Pessoa (1888 - 1935) and noticed some similarities to Nietzsche (their fathers died when they were five and they both developed cherished alter egos). I read a famous poem that I have encountered before, while living in Lisbon. Autopsychography is a concise description ...
For Tsvetsaeva
Marina, mine are not in a bookstore. I keep them in a place where not even the moths can find them where silent nods adorn their every line, Maybe they know that their time will never come. Maybe they wait anyhow, and some will ripen in the dark like wine.
do trees hear music when wind moves along their crown and leaves a trembling
Reading: Souvenir of the ancient world by Carlos Drummond de Andrade
Today I read a well-known poem by the famous Brazilian poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1902-1987). The original is called 'LEMBRANÇA DO MUNDO ANTIGO', and I go with the following English translation: Souvenir of the ancient world Clara strolled in the garden with the children. The sky was green over the grass, the water was ...
Reading: Do not go gentle… by Dylan Thomas
Today a poem that people like myself can't hear anymore, so often has it been repeated and analysed. Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) wrote this for his ailing father. I found a formal analysis online, that is devoid of passion and reminded me why I am doing this. Poetry gets so boring if you must interfere with ...
Reading: The silence of love by Han Yong-Un
Korean poet Han Yong-Un (pen name Manhae; 1879-1944) was a Buddhist monk who resisted against the Japanese occupation of Korea. He wrote about nationalism and love. I choose love, of course, and this famous 'national' poem. There is a creative English translation by ljlee (he also provides useful background information), which I like, but sounded ...
Reading: The pleasures of the door by Francis Ponge
Francis Ponge (1899-1988) was known as the poet of things. For a future anthology, that drifts further and further away in my imagination the more poetry I am exposed to, I read a thing about doors in an English translation by Raymond Federman: The Pleasures of the Door Kings do not touch doors. They do ...
Reading: Eating Poetry by Mark Strand
This poem by prominent American poet Mark Strand (1934-2014) was just delicious in its simplicity. I quote from the website of Poetry Foundation: Eating Poetry Ink runs from the corners of my mouth. There is no happiness like mine. I have been eating poetry. The librarian does not believe what she sees. Her eyes are ...
Reading: Burning of books by Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956)! When I was living in Berlin I intuitively liked the other of the Dreigroschenoper and Mutter Courage, even though I never sat through a live performance of his great plays for lack of money. He would understand. In his poetry, Brecht was a master of political verse, if I may lecture you ...