January 26, 2008, Author: Conor, 4 Comments

Translating poetry (again)

Categories: musings
Tags:: , ,

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!

4 Responses to Translating poetry (again)

  1. Uncle Paul says:

    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!

  2. Conor says:

    I freaking love it when poets snap.

  3. Julia says:

    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.

  4. Conor says:

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

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