Dusting off the Papryus
Though I’m getting a late start jumping on the April-is-National-Poetry-Month wagon, my plan is to post poetry for the rest of the month of April.
OK. Here goes!
A well-worn much-thumbed-through book in my library is Greek Lyrics translated by Richmond Lattimore. Lattimore is best known for his translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Here’s one of my favorite lyrics (with an appearance by Aphrodite) from that collection by Ibycus:
In spring time the Kydonian
quinces, watered by running streams,
there where the maiden nymphs have
their secret garden, and grapes that grow
round in shade of the tendriled vine,
ripen.
Now in this season for me
there is no rest from love.
Out of the hard bright sky,
A Thracian north wind blowing
with searing rages and hurt – – dark,
pitiliess, sent by Aphrodite – – Love
rocks and tosses my heart.