Notice of absence from L. B. Mek
'fare ye well' kind friends
'fare ye well' kind friends
Enticed first-glimpses igniting, magnetic attractions
electrified neurons, curating - Spring’s mirages
surfing, youth’s adrenaline of intoxicating - vehemence.
Time’s, muddying tracks have since washed-away
that first meeting's - once, effervescent scenes
as now Winter’s colours: paint reminiscing’s - silhouettes.
Treasured one, I sit inking
my anxiety’s musings - a daily routine
soothing efforts - to ease, yearning’s aches
my feet itch, like Ezra’s ‘Merchant's Wife’
they-fight-to-hasten
our reuniting’s: idyllic scenes.
Though, at times - pacing steps, are anchored
to doubt-enveloped stagnancy, pensive
what if Li Bai’s – lengthier, original
had a sombre meaning: how much
was lost in translation?
© L. B. Mek
January 2020
-
Author:
L. B. Mek (
Offline) - Published: May 3rd, 2021 03:43
- Comment from author about the poem: The River-Merchant's Wife, translated by Ezra Pound: ( https://mypoeticside.com/show-classic-poem-22776 ); Li Bai's (or Li Tai Po, or Li Bo) original: is titled 'A Song of Ch'ang-kan' (below is 'a more' loyal translation, though still, 'only of the first half' of what is originally a two-part poem) with some helpful context: ( http://poemsintranslation.blogspot.com/2017/10/li-bai-river-merchants-wife-longgully.html )
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 67
- Users favorite of this poem: Fay Slimm.
Offline)
Comments4
A mesmeric rendering of love's first addictions L.B. - and in your own style of imagery so well worth adding to my list of favourites.
once again, I can only express my sincere gratitude for your generosity and time, dear Fay
this write is a little special, because the original poem that inspired me is one of my all-time fav's:
'And we went on living in the village of Chōkan:
Two small people, without dislike or suspicion.'
..
'The leaves fall early this autumn, in wind.
The paired butterflies are already yellow with August'
(the day I write poetry
with 1/10 of the meaningful, integrity
imbued into these lines
I will have climbed the mount Everest of my life)
I really dont think I need to tell you how good this is L.B ..
this is one of those that I really wish I had written myself and no kiddin ...
... Neville
well, its only natural that once - in a millennia of moons
even an egg can hatch something different
and show a chicken something worthwhile..
thank you for the generous comment my friend, very kind - as always
i'm quite fascinated by your society here- some amazing writers (of course including the brilliant penman known as L. B. Mek) 😉
I owe it all to those who chose to support
and afford me their time and guidance
all else is a huge slice of luck
glad you enjoyed the read
I'm humbled by your effusive words of praise
how kind, dear Poet
Many good lines my friend
"Time’s, muddying tracks have since washed-away "
" effervescent scenes
as now Winter’s colours: paint reminiscing’s - silhouettes."
I identify with
"Treasured one, I sit inking
my anxiety’s musings - a daily routine
soothing efforts - to ease, yearning’s aches"
And I too wonder how much is lost in translation knowing that it is impossible to translate from one language to another without loss.
oh Li Bai or Li Bo
is one of my favourite poets, maybe only Plath and Keats and Maya
are equally or more cherished than him
I am so glad you excavated this scribble, kind friend
you've gifted me not only your supportive words, but a kind reminder
for me to read Li's words more often, thank you!
may I recommend you read his poem 'exile's letter' if you haven't yet
(
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=13065
)
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