Rilke's verse has been attempted by many a translator (Edward Snow and Stephen Mitchell are favorites), but not one has truly appA constant companion.
Rilke's verse has been attempted by many a translator (Edward Snow and Stephen Mitchell are favorites), but not one has truly approached the master himself. For the Greeks, the poet was a "maker" (poeites) who coaxed new creations out of language. Rilke does not merely create from language; he recreates language itself, bending the rigid German language into fluid shapes, startling sounds. For these final poems to the Angel and to Orpheus, Lorca's poem "Abajo" might serve as the best commentary:
El espacio estrellado se refleja en sonidos. Lianas espectrales. Arpa laberíntica.
The expansiveness of starspace reflects itself in sounds. Phantasmatic creepers. Labyrinthine harp. ...more
While I can't claim to have read all of it, Leaves of Grass is great. Whitman's prose works are also quite good, particularly "Democratic Vistas."While I can't claim to have read all of it, Leaves of Grass is great. Whitman's prose works are also quite good, particularly "Democratic Vistas."...more
"Fern Hill" is one of the most beautiful poems in twentieth century literature. And everything else in Thomas' compressed, darkly exuberant oeuvre is "Fern Hill" is one of the most beautiful poems in twentieth century literature. And everything else in Thomas' compressed, darkly exuberant oeuvre is pretty amazing too....more
All of Hopkins' poetry is amazing, but the "Windhover" in particular is one of the most impressive lyrics I've every read. Hopkins' explosion of the sAll of Hopkins' poetry is amazing, but the "Windhover" in particular is one of the most impressive lyrics I've every read. Hopkins' explosion of the sonnet form and embrace of the notion of oral poetry makes him one of the most powerful voices in modern poetry....more
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