Russian writers, again

[osprey_archer]

Often when I watch Russian films, or read Russian novels or poetry (in translation), I feel like I'm standing with my nose pressed against a stained-glass window, trying to glimpse the church inside. I can see, through the rich colors and thick wavy glass, the shadows of that meaning moving; but they're inaccessible to me.

I love this poem because I get it, at least a little - as if the window has been propped open to let in a breeze, and I can peek inside.

I Have No Use for Odic Legions
by Anna Akhmatova

I have no use for odic legions,
Or for the charm of elegiac play
For me, all verse should be off kilter
Not the usual way.

If only you knew what trash gives rise
To verse, without a tinge of shame,
Like bright dandelions by a fence,
Like burdock and like cocklebur.

An angry shout, the bracing smell of tar,
Mysterious mildew on the wall...
And out comes a poem, light-hearted, tender,
To your delight and mine.

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

This poem is so true! Dandelions, mildew, tar, burdock--all these things, exactly, are inspiring.

[entwashian.livejournal.com]

Have you ever tried reading any parallel text books? I don't know how readily available they are in Russian...

I adore The Defiant Muse (http://www.amazon.com/Defiant-Muse-Feminist-Bilingual-Anthology/dp/0935312536) series.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

I actually found this poem on a parallel text website - this particular poem is here (http://max.mmlc.northwestern.edu/~mdenner/Demo/texts/no_use_odes.html). There's a recording of the poet reciting it herself, too (in Russian of course).

Do you know German???? It's one of the languages I keep thinking about learning. (Although looking harder, it looks like that's one book in a whole series of books in many languages...I should see if there's a Spanish one, I could actually read those poems.)

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

Yes! A cross-cultural (and cross-temporal) meeting of minds, here.

[entwashian.livejournal.com]

Very cool!

No, I don't. XD Yes, it is a series. I think there's a Spanish one. The Italian one is amazing, though, and with a knowledge of Spanish & the parallel text, you should be able to figure out what's what. (I mostly can with a working knowledge of French, so.)

[girl-called-sun.livejournal.com]

Delight is a very good word to be in this poem, it is delightful.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

:)

Where have you been? You aren't on LJ much lately.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

The library has them! I plan to take a look this evening. :D

[entwashian.livejournal.com]

Awesome! :)