Posted by matt on 10 June 2008
A SMALL POETICS
You’re allowed to write everything,
for example, and and and.
You’re allowed with all the words you find,
all the meanings you plant among them.
It’s a good idea, of course, to check
if the voice is your voice
and the hands are your hands,
If so, lock up your voice,
gather your hands, and obey
the voice of
the empty page.
Translation by Stephen Mitchell
Photo credit: Detail from Crumpled Paper by ArtByChrysti
Posted in Don Pagis | Tagged: Dan Pagis, Hebrew, Translation | Leave a Comment »
Posted by matt on 3 April 2008
CONVERSATION
Four talked about the pine tree. One defined it by genus, species, and variety. One assessed its disadvantages for the lumber industry. One quoted poems about pine trees in many languages. One took root, stretched out branches, and rustled.
Translation by Stephen Mitchell
Photo credit: pine-tree by Naomi Ibuki
Posted in Don Pagis, Hebrew, Stephen Mitchell, Translation | Leave a Comment »
