Translations 1A

Steve BensonCheerful

When I read them I'm obliged to project myself the original author's thrill writing and the expanse: trees, sky, tremendous dogs fighting: for me this is to read. There exists no best translation, however one admires the vain effort none makes to make it all the same, somehow authentic if not perfect (meanwhile sickening of the original!). Oh yucky repetitious pretensions of mind! move outside, out of sight! get your jaws wide! eat Mother Nature! Know the ways of the city drag. Contemplate a while cigarettes and boiling coffee. Dig cold air! Shut down contraptions (like radio) and ramble determinedly about — out! Time comes your guilt will crack, eyes see nameless birds, fingers play in grasses without attempt to bend and cut. Nothing is mechanical! All organic, and edible! Now mouths feel the heart, hearts are sensitive to lips, teeth and tongues, as I hear these words cascading through a difficult hour... It feels ticklish, salty in the eyes, I limp but am not limp, erratically bleeding inside.

Steve Benson
SourceLicence:Public domain (US, no notice)

Learn by heart: tap a gap

When I read them I'm obliged to myself
the original thrill writing and
Open the trainer

Keep going on the web or in the app.

Describe a feeling — we’ll find a poem

Learn Poems app

Try the Learn Poems app

Everything from the website trainer, and more: new exercises, voice recording and sharing, reminders, quick review.