Category Archives: Translation

Federico García Lorca, Little Viennese Waltz

Posted on January 6, 2022 by James Steerforth

In Vienna there are ten girlsa shoulder on which death sobsand a forest of stuffed doves.There is a fragment of morningin the museum of ice flowers.There is a room with a thousand windows.¡Ay, ay, ay, ay!Take this waltz with its … Continue reading →

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Words for Julia

Posted on April 23, 2011 by James Steerforth

You can’t go back because life is pushing you ahead like an unending howl. You’ll feel caged, you’ll feel lost and alone, perhaps wishing you’d never been born. But always remember what I wrote one day thinking of you as … Continue reading →

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Aisha

Posted on November 28, 2010 by James Steerforth

As if I didn’t exist at all She passed by me Without a glance, Queen of Sheba I said, Aisha, take it, it’s all yours Take it all – the pearls, the jewelry The gold around your neck The fruits, … Continue reading →

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The rope torn

Posted on October 25, 2010 by James Steerforth

The rope has been torn; a knot Can tie it again, but It’s been torn. Perhaps we’ll meet again, but You won’t find me In the place where we parted ways. – Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) English translation by Johannes Beilharz … Continue reading →

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A poem by Hugo Ball

Posted on January 4, 2010 by James Steerforth

My demon has no brothers, no sisters, no kin.
My demon thinks time’s just a waste and a sin. Continue reading →

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La pistola y el corazón

Posted on December 5, 2009 by James Steerforth

The moon tells me one thing, / the stars tell me another, / and the light of day sings me / this sad, sad song Continue reading →

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Christian Morgenstern: The guinea fowl

Posted on January 25, 2008 by James Steerforth

The guinea fowl The guinea fowl counts: one, two, three, four … Pray what is all that counting for, Out there among the deep dark pine trees? The bird, driven by knowledge’s itch, And doing so without a glitch, Is … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun, Literature, Nature, Nonsense, Poetry, Stellar poetry, Translation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sarko & Carla Bruni – love forever?

Posted on January 13, 2008 by James Steerforth

Europe’s current favorite love story between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and ex-model/singer Carla Bruni keeps the tabloids busy these days. An opportune time perhaps to go and see what Carla Bruni has to say about love in her best-known song … Continue reading →

Posted in Bland observations, Flowers, Life, Love, Lyrics, Music, Time, Translation, Writing | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Celan: Epitaph for François

Posted on April 19, 2007 by James Steerforth

Paul Celan, 1945 Epitaph for François The two doors of the world stand open: opened by you in the twinight. We hear them slam and slam and carry the uncertain, and carry the green into your always. – Paul Celan … Continue reading →

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Gacela of Dark Death

Posted on April 1, 2007 by James Steerforth

Federico García Lorca Gacela of the Dark Death I want to sleep the dream of the apples, to withdraw from the tumult of cemetries. I want to sleep the dream of that child who wanted to cut his heart on … Continue reading →

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In prose and in poetry

Posted on March 22, 2007 by James Steerforth

In prose the translator is the servant, in poetry the rival of the author. – Borko Vujicic This quote came about in a comment exchange on a Serbo-Croatian Charles Bukowski translation at Ivana Vojdovic‘s blog.

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