Translating poetry (again)

This one’s real psycho. It’s a Hesse poem that’s rather famous, one which I’ll translate without paying attention to the rhyme scheme, because rhyming in rhythm is freaking hard.

Because I love you, tonight
I came to you, so wild and whispery,
And so you can never forget me,
I robbed you of your soul.

It is now with me and belongs to me completely
Through good times and also bad;
From my wild, burning love
Not even the angels can save you.

Wouldn’t that make a killer metal song?!

Cry My Name!

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You’re currently reading “Translating poetry (again)”, an entry on Im Voraus

Published:: 01.26.08 / 12am

Category:: musings

Tags:: language, metal, writing

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Translating poetry (yet again) »

4 Comments

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Uncle Paul 01.26.08 / 2am

1

Wow, that sounds like something Hesse wrote while hospitalized.
Here’s another by Hesse on the same theme:

Groaning like the wind through the night
My desire storms after you;
Every longing is awake.
O you who have made me sick,
What do you know of me!
Softly I put out the last light,
Only to spend feverish hours waking;
And the night has your face,
And the wind, who speaks of love,
Has your unforgettable laughter!
Conor 01.26.08 / 2am

2

I freaking love it when poets snap.
Julia 01.26.08 / 2am

3

I cant disagree with the metal lyrics comment.

Hesse is just awful as a poet – he should have stuck with prose. This particular poem doesn’t make me vomit. But srsly.
Conor 01.26.08 / 2am

4

Do you hate Edna St. Vincent Millay, too?! (Trick question!)

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