Yeah, this one I think I like quite a bit. It has a nice range of emotions packed in a dense form. Sometimes I feel bad for un-sonnetify these, I think the form fits the song like quality he was going for.
The first one talks about singing songs of blood actually.
But it is a shame they are sitting on a shelf so to speak, so I am doing what I can!
Yeah it does make you wonder how you overcome such things. Do the pessimist just fade out or do the optimist carry them out from unrelenting willpower over time? It seems exhausting being either though. :)
''Humanity is still in training,'' such potent truth. Very powerful poem. Thank you for this translation, Josh!
Yeah, this one I think I like quite a bit. It has a nice range of emotions packed in a dense form. Sometimes I feel bad for un-sonnetify these, I think the form fits the song like quality he was going for.
The first one talks about singing songs of blood actually.
But it is a shame they are sitting on a shelf so to speak, so I am doing what I can!
Translating is a great way to introduce others to texts that have influenced you that might not be accessible to them.
I really need to start translating some more danish poems again.
It's so rewarding especially when you see people relating to something from your culure, just like you, but perhaps for different reasons.
I really like the contrast between the May meadows/starry fields and the ant battle
Yeah, this one is up there with my favorite. I think I still really like #16 for the grief but this one kinda has everything.
This was feels indeed much more optimist and bright than the others. It'll be interesting to see what that trip brings back into your writing!
Yes, I guess one way of curing depression is to write about it for 23 sonnets or so :)
Always interesting to hear about poets outside of the English sphere
Yeah, I think Slovak poetry is especially under represented. There is beauty in translations — it’s a very nice way to fold time and space.
Fantastic, Josh. That second stanza is clear and gorgeous.
May you be well and fruitful in your noble travels!
The second stanza is beautiful! Best of luck in your quest to track down more Slovak poetry to translate. That is really wonderful.
Yeah, that second stanza, it is like some fruit filling in this pastry or something. It pops from the page for sure.
It casts a ray of hope.
I am optimistic that humanity will one day finish its training and reach mastery, but the future tends to favor the pessimists.
Yeah it does make you wonder how you overcome such things. Do the pessimist just fade out or do the optimist carry them out from unrelenting willpower over time? It seems exhausting being either though. :)
Haunting prose, Josh!
Thanks Rea. Yeah, considering what Hviezdoslav the fact he found optimism still should be inspiring. Well, it is to me!
It is inspiring!