What music are you listening to?

My own mind working up a poem about childhood terrors. I love poetry, to read but also to write. It is music to me, I can read a poem like a tune and rhythm of a song. I recall being ‘taught” Shakespeare, pretty badly, not understanding his ancient language but hearing his music with such intensity. To me the core of good poetry is its music. 

Alice

That sounds like a wonderful gift to have Alice. I’ve just discovered a poet named Rilke who really speaks to me have you heard of him?

That sounds like a wonderful gift to have Alice. I’ve just discovered a poet named Rilke who really speaks to me have you heard of him?

Yes I have but haven’t yet read much of his work. He is definitely on my list, as are other European poets such as Verlaine and Paul Valery. Ive been somewhat sceptical about anyone’s ability to translate poetry which is why I have yet to seriously read these great writers. Im happy with translated prose, Im a big fan of Colette, but poetry has in my view been impossible to render identically in another language as all languages differ significantly in the very aspects which make poetry what it is. 

But is it just what the poet wrote? their intention in their language? or can it legitimately be reimagined in a different language? but then is it still their poem?    However poets know that once a poem is published it is effectively no longer theirs but in the mind and interpretation of their readers, which can in turn mean translators. 

So Im definitely going to give these great poets my time

Alice x