Thursday, 30 April 2009

Four Changes

Thursday, 30 April 2009 09:40
lnhammer: the Chinese character for poetry, red on white background (Default)
1. Midas

Stone, clod, twig, apple,
stair, cup, wine, dinner, daughter
all glitter golden.


2. Alcyone

The kingfisher cries.
On the gently lapping waves
Ceyx’s head bobs.


3. Achilles

Among the bright silks,
gentle soaps, and sweet perfumes,
a sharp, shining sword.


4. Cassandra

A woman’s whimper
as they drag a wooden horse
through the broken gate.

—1 December 2000

---L.

About

Warning: contents contain line-breaks.

As language practice, I like to translate poetry. My current project is Chinese, with practice focused on Tang Dynasty poetry. Previously this was classical Japanese, most recently working through the Kokinshu anthology (archived here). Suggestions, corrections, and questions always welcome.

There's also original pomes in the journal archives.

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