An interesting approach to the problem of poetry in translation. Good interview as always.
But taking out the “Archaic Torso” poem seems like a perverse demand by the editor. Don’t start the book with it, sure, but if any poem is to be done, one would think that’s the one, the one we’re over-familiar with. And what better way to “depart” from it than by parodying it (you can’t parody something few are familiar with).
I haven’t been able to find all the German originals of the poems Cramer read, but a couple are here (Die Laute, the Pattie Boyd departure) and Der Blinde (The Blind Man). Note the book is dedicated to Rodin:
A lot of people just say “centos.” Translitics are fun (and funny). A good example of the genre is Sybil James, “The White Junk of Love, Again,” based on work by the French Renaissance poet Louise Labé.
Absolutely fascinating conversation, Radha! statements like this: " I try to think as little about subject matter as possible. The language on the page leads to subject matter. If you have published a book, and you think it's a good book, and you like it, try writing bad poems in new ways..." Marvelous!
An interesting approach to the problem of poetry in translation. Good interview as always.
But taking out the “Archaic Torso” poem seems like a perverse demand by the editor. Don’t start the book with it, sure, but if any poem is to be done, one would think that’s the one, the one we’re over-familiar with. And what better way to “depart” from it than by parodying it (you can’t parody something few are familiar with).
I haven’t been able to find all the German originals of the poems Cramer read, but a couple are here (Die Laute, the Pattie Boyd departure) and Der Blinde (The Blind Man). Note the book is dedicated to Rodin:
https://gutenberg.org/cache/epub/33864/pg33864-images.html
Amazing. Can't decide whether to quit writing or try a few translitics.
These put me immediately in mind of your centos (centones, I guess?).
Translitics: that's a great term.
A lot of people just say “centos.” Translitics are fun (and funny). A good example of the genre is Sybil James, “The White Junk of Love, Again,” based on work by the French Renaissance poet Louise Labé.
Absolutely fascinating conversation, Radha! statements like this: " I try to think as little about subject matter as possible. The language on the page leads to subject matter. If you have published a book, and you think it's a good book, and you like it, try writing bad poems in new ways..." Marvelous!
A lot of fascinating points. Thank you.