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    AC Benus
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

a Glass Floor Underfoot - 20. to the unforgiving sea

.

Romantiker-Bildnisse

Herrn John Höxter gewidmet

 

2.

Ich nahm von jedem Haupte eine Strähne,

Von jedem nahen Munde einen Kuß,

Und jedem Tod gab ich nur eine Träne

Beim kurzen Halt . . . schon gleitet ja den Fluß

 

Mein Boot hinab entlang den herben Weiden,

Wiesen vorbei in buntem Ungefähr . . .

Wann kommt zu Felsen, wann zu Trümmer-Heiden

Wann treibt mein Nachen ins gewalt’ge Meer.

 

---------------------------------

 

Romantic Portraits

Mister John Höxter bestowed

 

2.

A strand I took from each head that was near

And from every parting mouth a kiss,

While the onrushing death got but a tear

To pull up short . . . river-gliding like this

 

My boat down among the sharp-edged willows,

Past meadows in colors bright and free . . .

Heading for burnt heaths and rocks in billows

As I drift to the unforgiving sea.

 

 

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Gustav Vigeland The Circle of Life (1934)

 

 

 

 

_

Copyright © 2022 AC Benus; All Rights Reserved.
  • Love 3
 
 
Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

1 hour ago, raven1 said:

This poem is beautiful, and the analogy was unique The first 4 lines were powerful cultural images of life and death to me.  @Parker Owens described the next four line perfectly.  Why did you chose to describe the ocean as unforgiving.  It fits, but I know you always chose your words so carefully, and I am curious. 😊

Thanks, raven1. If you speak German, please let me know as I often find myself needing a sounding board. As for the appropriate flavor of trying to render the poet's gewalt'ge in the context of the poem, please see the attached. 

https://www.deepl.com/translator#de/en/Wiesen vorbei in buntem Ungefähr . . . Wann kommt zu Felsen%2C wann zu Trümmer-Heiden wann treibt mein Nachen ins gewalt’ge Meer.

Place your cursor within the word gewalt'ge and meanings will appear below. Violence; force; governance; power; control; commanding; vast; raging; immense; righteous -- these are all carried in the tenor of the word. If one is thinking, as I am, that the poet wishes to convey a sense of hopeless for human life against the onslaught of nature (ie Death), then "unforgiving" may work.

I never think any of my translations are set in stone 

Edited by AC Benus
22 hours ago, Parker Owens said:

I feel as if the poet sweeps us along on a steam in full swollen torrent, in a boat hurtling down through rain-sorrowful woods and leas to a place where the current slows and the river spreads out. 

Thank you, Parker. I feel I should post these more often, at least the poems of this Romantic Portraits collection. I try to be true to the color and Expressionistic genre in with the poet conceived these. Thanks for reading and commenting :)

  • Love 2
36 minutes ago, AC Benus said:

Thanks, raven1. If you speak German, please let me know as I often find myself needing a sounding board. As for the appropriate flavor of trying to render the poet's gewalt'ge in the context of the poem, please see the attached. 

https://www.deepl.com/translator#de/en/Wiesen vorbei in buntem Ungefähr . . . Wann kommt zu Felsen%2C wann zu Trümmer-Heiden wann treibt mein Nachen ins gewalt’ge Meer.

Place your cursor within the word gewalt'ge and meaning will appear below. Violence; force; governance; power; control; commanding; vast; raging; immense; righteous -- these are all carried in the tenor of the word. If one is thinking, as I am, that the poet wishes to convey a sense of hopeless for human life against the onslaught of nature (ie Death), then "unforgiving" may work.

I never think any of my translations are set in stone 

As much as I enjoy working with you, I don't know but a few words in German mainly greetings, food and a few swear words. After checking the meaning in the translator, I don't know of an English word that would convey the same tenor.  Gewalt'ge seems to be the best fit, and I like that choice.  I really appreciate the additional insights you provided by explaining your choice and sharing the word.  It makes the poem that much more meaningful.

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