Translation Trashbin - 27. Sphinx

As always for German verse, my deep thanks and gratitude go to @Lyssafor the three things: one, for introducing me to the work of Else in the first place; two, for showing me "Sphinx" as specifically important in the poet's loving of women; and three, for helping me navigate some of the more visionary language in the original poem. A thousand thank you's and kisses

Thank you! And a thousand thank you`s and kisses back for making this magnificent translation. This poem and your translation are very special for me. I have read a few analyzes about this poem and some are good and some are very weird in my eyes. And it is a very deep touching gift, that we both read Spinx the same way. (And I am convinced our reading is the most elegant and therefor the most logical. 😉 ) I hope you know, how much support and encouragement you give me, to continue what I started, through your translations.

To your translation: You brought over all the elements of love, longing and yet the insecurity the lyrical-I shows. Elses pictures and the sensuality of her work shine brilliantly in every stanza. The mystical references are perfect. This is an outstanding work!

Oh and I defenitly need to mention, that you don`t need much help anymore with the German twists of Grammar, since you started working on translations. That is impressive! Hammer!!!

Muha

Thank you for translating this awesome poem. The scene set in it opens to my mind in deep blues and silver. No one can be wholly immune to the light and shadow Selene casts. 

On 7/22/2019 at 8:09 AM, Lyssa said:

Thank you! And a thousand thank you`s and kisses back for making this magnificent translation. This poem and your translation are very special for me. I have read a few analyzes about this poem and some are good and some are very weird in my eyes. And it is a very deep touching gift, that we both read Spinx the same way. (And I am convinced our reading is the most elegant and therefor the most logical. 😉 ) I hope you know, how much support and encouragement you give me, to continue what I started, through your translations.

To your translation: You brought over all the elements of love, longing and yet the insecurity the lyrical-I shows. Elses pictures and the sensuality of her work shine brilliantly in every stanza. The mystical references are perfect. This is an outstanding work!

Oh and I defenitly need to mention, that you don`t need much help anymore with the German twists of Grammar, since you started working on translations. That is impressive! Hammer!!!

Muha

Thank you, Lyssa. Yes, the convoluted interpretations you told me about, once I'd completed my efforts, surprised me. I guess no tale is too tall if it "proves" a person wasn't queer after all. But in any event, Else's words will stand on their own, and they can speak well enough for themselves. Someone like me just has to stick close to what's written, while the "no, not gay" camp has to invent all sorts of fanciful gewgaws to ornament the otherwise plain words (in this case, words of love).

Thanks again for introducing this poem to me, and please keep them coming! 

5 hours ago, Parker Owens said:

Thank you for translating this awesome poem. The scene set in it opens to my mind in deep blues and silver. No one can be wholly immune to the light and shadow Selene casts. 

Thank you, Parker! There are many ways to "see" the action in this poem, and I do try with my translations to leave those possibilities open. I guess there is a balance; I myself have to be able to envision the poet's POV, but still leave interpretation up to the reader. (Phew! If I thought about all these things before I dove in, I might never attempt another one.)

Thank you again for your support, and for sharing your thoughts