Sappho

[genoveva]

This is a thread for the discussion of the ancient Greek poet, Sappho. Who here is familiar with her work? Please share your comments, favorite selections, and pieces of knowledge of her life.

[ShoutGrace]

I have only read one selection of Sappho’s poetry, though I was very much impressed by it:


“One of the most celebrated proprioceptive poems was written by Sappho . . . ”


There's a man I really believe’s in heaven,
---over there, that man. To be sitting near you,
knee to knee so close to you, hear your voice, your
cozy low laughter,
close to you - enough in the very thought to
put my heart at once in palpitation.
I, come face to face with you on a sudden,
stand in a stupor:
tongue a lump, unable to lift; elusive
little flames play over the skin and smoulder
under. Eyes go blind in a flash; and ears hear
only their own din.
Head to toe I'm cold with a sudden moisture;
Knees are faint; my cheeks, in an instant, drain to
pale as grass. I think to myself, the end? I'm
really going under?

Well, endure is all I can do . . . . .


As it is the only that I've read, I suppose it is my favourite. :D

[Nightwalk]

One of my favorites and perhaps the greatest female poet who ever lived. Her exqusite and sensuous lyrics were unmatched in antiquity and perhaps to the present. Plato called her "The 10th Muse".

ShoutGrace has posted arguably her best and justly celebrated poem. Here's mine.

The Orchard

Cold water falls between the apple trees
And climbing roses over-arch their shade,
And rustling in the leafy boughs the breeze
Lulls every sense.

Translation from the Greek by A.R. Burn

[mono]

Of course, I have always loved Sappho! Though I love the idea for the thread, genoveva, you may also benefit from this thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3095) with some poetry by Sappho, and a small discussion.

[genoveva]

Below are a few lovely short poems by Sappho. Translation by Willis Barnstone. It is interesting how he (and other translators) have titled her poems, or fragments.

Alone

The moon and the Pleiades
are set. It is midnight
and time spins away.
I lie in my bed alone.

(168B)


Homecoming

You came
when I was longing for you,
and to my heart suffering in passion's fire
you were
delicious ice.

(48)


Blast of Love

Like a mountain whirlwind
punishing the oak trees,
love shattered my heart.

(47)



To Atthis

I loved you, Atthis, long ago
when you were like a small child with no charm.

(49)



To Eros


You burn me.

(96)



Vision

Go so that
we can see
Lady Dawn
with gold arms,
which is
our fate.

(6)