tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post8896196405945267333..comments2023-12-28T13:11:06.666+00:00Comments on Pics and Poems: Anna AkhmatovaDave Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430484174826768488noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-66743180843358186212009-01-11T01:24:00.000+00:002009-01-11T01:24:00.000+00:00This is a beautiful post. I love the poems of Akhm...This is a beautiful post. I love the poems of Akhmatova. I speak Russian, and I can read her originally. It's the more beautiful.oximoronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09904224480719622497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-2499451913781005542009-01-09T23:04:00.000+00:002009-01-09T23:04:00.000+00:00Dave,I think the extracts you have chosen from Akm...Dave,<BR/>I think the extracts you have chosen from Akmhatova are very moving and illustrate her incredible intensity as a poet. Of course, translation makes a huge difference. Russian poets seem to translate very well into English. I have read quite a bit and there seems to be a peculiar rhythm in English which is generated solely by translating Russian poetry. One thing about the Russian people that makes them special is their inate love of poetry.Lucashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07642126053527835870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-25094148119709445112009-01-07T16:11:00.000+00:002009-01-07T16:11:00.000+00:00YOU,THERE ON YOUR BACK,EYES TO THE SKY.THE SPIDER ...YOU,THERE ON YOUR BACK,<BR/>EYES TO THE SKY.<BR/>THE SPIDER -MAN HAVE CAUGHT YOU.<BR/>HI DAVID, GET PIAF NOW.ELAINE ERIGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17334833916376169761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-22391440059871216962009-01-04T10:11:00.000+00:002009-01-04T10:11:00.000+00:00Dear Dave,Once again you have introduced me to a f...Dear Dave,<BR/><BR/>Once again you have introduced me to a fascinating poet. Didn't she have an amazing profile? It must be very difficult to translate poetry like that, how very clever.<BR/><BR/>Happy New Year to you also.Acornmoonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14982884920388966786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-56957579376332456962009-01-04T09:15:00.000+00:002009-01-04T09:15:00.000+00:00I'll keep my eyes out for Akhmatova's poetry. Than...I'll keep my eyes out for Akhmatova's poetry. Thanks Dave. I have been thinking, increasingly often of late, about the question "Why poetry" and this post has given me a bit more context. Cheers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-66762397563408003632009-01-04T08:58:00.000+00:002009-01-04T08:58:00.000+00:00HopeMany thanks for your good New Year wishes, whi...<B>Hope</B><BR/>Many thanks for your good New Year wishes, which I return. Hope all goes well for you and yours - and the fuzziness soon clears. I can elate to that as I am on them (low dose) long term, unfortunately - not that it's the head they affect in my case!<BR/><BR/><B>JaneyV</B><BR/>And a happy New Year to you and yours. I completely agree with you, both about the history and the poetry of the time.<BR/><BR/><B>Mansuetude</B><BR/>I had exactly that feeling for a long time: the sense of being locked out of her inner world. For me it was one poem that turned the key - and then to discover that it had been the same poem that had inspired her translator, was somehow magical.<BR/><BR/><B>Barry</B><BR/>No, thank <B>you</B>!Dave Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430484174826768488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-14075295208795785522009-01-03T19:59:00.000+00:002009-01-03T19:59:00.000+00:00This is a great way to get the year off to a start...This is a great way to get the year off to a start.<BR/><BR/>Thanks Dave!Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13824632356834631279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-44961445838866834122009-01-03T16:31:00.000+00:002009-01-03T16:31:00.000+00:00if you had given a starved man a Thanksgiving meal...if you had given a starved man a Thanksgiving meal, i couldn't be more full from your post. <BR/><BR/>I love this "It's only a little pipe of clay,<BR/>There's no reason for it to complain.<BR/>Who told it all my sins,<BR/>And why is it absolving me?"<BR/><BR/>It has happened to me so often, to read poetry and feel no entrance door to a deep well of response, then one glance and some phrase is embedded within me, calling.<BR/><BR/>I have not spent a lot of time with Akhmatova, have always felt locked out of her somehow, or not ready... maybe it is her choice of form, as you mention. But now, after this i am going to get that collection and try.<BR/><BR/>Thanks.mansuetudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03805383049085040581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-63596978970074088782009-01-03T16:30:00.000+00:002009-01-03T16:30:00.000+00:00Dave - a very Happy New Year to you. What a beaut...Dave - a very Happy New Year to you. What a beautiful post. We who read you benefit greatly from your years in education as you have a very easy manner with which you impart quite complex information. What I was struck by in reading these extracts is the extraordinary rawness that developed in her writing. It feels barren and yet rich with emotion.<BR/><BR/>I cannot even conceive of what it must have been like to have lived in Russia (particularly in the thirties and forties). European history of that era is so brutal and cold it freezes the soul to read about it. This has been an interesting journey. Thank you for introducing us to Anna.JaneyVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04951739945670483199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-61353810611128787902009-01-03T14:52:00.000+00:002009-01-03T14:52:00.000+00:00Just wanted to stop by and wish you all the best i...Just wanted to stop by and wish you all the best in the New Year!<BR/><BR/>Been a little fuzzy for the past week as the antibiotics given to me at Christmas for bronchitis have the worst side effects ever!<BR/><BR/>But I am clear headed enough to let you know how much I enjoy visiting here and look forward to more!hopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03306622656461205674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-82041400665094238362009-01-03T08:57:00.000+00:002009-01-03T08:57:00.000+00:00TommasoAn extraordinary poet, I have come to think...<B>Tommaso</B><BR/>An extraordinary poet, I have come to think - but it took me a while.<BR/>Thanks for that.<BR/><BR/><B>Carl</B><BR/>I agree that they do not read or sound like translations. Even more incredible in that regard is the fact that the translator had only been learning Russian for 3 years.<BR/><BR/><B>Susan</B><BR/>I hope - am sure - it will be a happy relationship. Thanks for commenting.<BR/><BR/><B>High Desert Diva</B><BR/>And thanks for the feedback.Dave Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430484174826768488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-85399017445063757822009-01-03T04:37:00.000+00:002009-01-03T04:37:00.000+00:00I quite like that last favorite of yours...Thanks ...I quite like that last favorite of yours...<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the intro.High Desert Divahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06612606483622054573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-82850492891749959772009-01-03T03:06:00.000+00:002009-01-03T03:06:00.000+00:00It is as though you have introduced me to a new fr...It is as though you have introduced me to a new friend. I thank you.SUSAN SONNENhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17348324221180443517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-88667735203514559342009-01-02T22:55:00.000+00:002009-01-02T22:55:00.000+00:00The imagery stuns me at first read. I find these ...The imagery stuns me at first read. I find these poems haunting and can not believe that this powerful stuf with such moving language is a translation. I will have to get a book of her poems and imerse myself in them. I can see why her translator strove to learn Russian.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for this great post!<BR/>CarlCarlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09751363280115223716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-20035619052120106672009-01-02T19:24:00.001+00:002009-01-02T19:24:00.001+00:00Marvellous poems dear Dave, in particular the pace...Marvellous poems dear Dave, in particular the pace and intensity of this last one "Granite city of fame and calamity..."<BR/>Superb.<BR/>Great post.Tommaso Gervasuttihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17137499390434949734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-85086848335335765642009-01-02T19:24:00.000+00:002009-01-02T19:24:00.000+00:00Marvellous poems dear Dave, in particular the pace...Marvellous poems dear Dave, in particular the pace and intensity of this last one "Granite city of fame and calamity..."<BR/>Superb.<BR/>Great post.Tommaso Gervasuttihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17137499390434949734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-35947903304932019112009-01-02T15:22:00.000+00:002009-01-02T15:22:00.000+00:00LucyThanks for that. I don'tknow her poetry from a...<B>Lucy</B><BR/>Thanks for that. I don'tknow her poetry from any other translator - except in anthologies where, as you might expect, it also reads rather well. Might be interesting to try to track down some other translators.<BR/>And a really good new year to you and yours.<BR/><BR/><B>Watermaid</B><BR/>Hope you will enjoy.<BR/><BR/><B>Kelly</B><BR/>Welcome and thanks for the comment. I much enjoyed my visit to you.Dave Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430484174826768488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-10554091019413155902009-01-02T14:08:00.000+00:002009-01-02T14:08:00.000+00:00Thank you for stopping by my blog, Dave. I'll be b...Thank you for stopping by my blog, Dave. I'll be back to visit yours as well and will be following you. I particularly like this last poem you shared in this post. KellyKelly Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877538170235721680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-28117223092845748212009-01-02T13:35:00.000+00:002009-01-02T13:35:00.000+00:00Thanks for an introduction to another new poet.Thanks for an introduction to another new poet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-68353127129927405442009-01-02T13:27:00.000+00:002009-01-02T13:27:00.000+00:00Interesting indeed. I've only read a few poems of...Interesting indeed. I've only read a few poems of hers a long while ago in anthologies, and thinking back, probably largely anthologies of love poetry. I realise I'm somewhat in agreement with Sarah L., that I don't care so much for love poetry now, though it was what first got me reading, and writing, poems. <BR/><BR/>I think perhaps poems about spousal, contented sort of love are possibly rather self-satisfied and uninteresting, and the wild, painful, demented, betimes unrequited kind of stuff I've presumably grown out of, or consider as possibly something of an affectation anyway! <BR/><BR/>But to come back to Akhmatova... she seems to translate quite well, though without any knowledge of Russian I suppose one can't really tell,but I wonder if that clear lucid style is something to do with it .Or perhaps she has good translators.<BR/><BR/>I shall look out more for her. Though, as you found, perhaps one just has to come at the poetry at the right moment, I often find that.<BR/><BR/>Happy New Year to you and yours Dave, and thanks so much for all you do, both here and your encouragement and positivity elsewhere too.Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09764296105901909328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-70936456404377524912009-01-02T12:34:00.000+00:002009-01-02T12:34:00.000+00:00J.C.And best wishes also. Really good having you a...<B>J.C.</B><BR/>And best wishes also. Really good having you aboard. ThanksDave Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430484174826768488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-68322803381016544812009-01-02T11:25:00.000+00:002009-01-02T11:25:00.000+00:00Best wishes Dave. Discovering your blog last year ...Best wishes Dave. Discovering your blog last year was one of the nice things that happened for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-36939785350372286962009-01-02T09:25:00.000+00:002009-01-02T09:25:00.000+00:00BillIndeed, I think we regularly undervalue seat-o...<B>Bill</B><BR/>Indeed, I think we regularly undervalue seat-of-pants knowledge.<BR/><BR/><B>Shadow</B><BR/>I think you may find icreasingly so as you read more.<BR/><BR/><B>Catherine</B><BR/>Yes, absolutely, so many people< I find, follow the judgement of so-called <I>experts</I>. It has been quite noticeable, that on occasions when I have told friends and acquaintances that I have a blog, they don't ask what it's about, but only how many hits I get. As they don't run into millions, they simply nod and change the subject. (they are not all like that, I stress!)<BR/><BR/><B>Weaver of Grass</B><BR/>I am sure you are absolutely right in all of that. I have never been to Russia, alas, but I can picture those Russian ladies and I think I see vicariously that history in their faces.<BR/><BR/><B>Pamela, Terry and Edward</B><BR/>I am sure (hope) your new year will be even more blessed from having done so.<BR/><BR/><B>Conda</B><BR/>Thanks. Hope you enjoy your reading - I am sure you will.<BR/><BR/><B>Elizabeth</B><BR/>I, too, feel the lack of people around me with whom to talk of such things. I suppose it's one of the reasons - the main one, probably) why I blog.<BR/><BR/><B>Sarah Laurence</B><BR/>Know what you mean. I think that's the main reason I took so long to get to grips with her poetry.<BR/><BR/><B>Sorlil</B><BR/>Yes, I do have the photo biography in my edition. Fascinating pictures. <BR/><BR/><B>Willow</B><BR/>You will not regret doing so, I know.Dave Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430484174826768488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-39474488981911779702009-01-02T02:07:00.000+00:002009-01-02T02:07:00.000+00:00Happy New Year to you and yours!I'm off to find a ...Happy New Year to you and yours!<BR/><BR/>I'm off to find a copy of her poetry. Thank you.Tess Kincaidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04889725786678984293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508563923634392703.post-58398824487180292112009-01-02T01:49:00.000+00:002009-01-02T01:49:00.000+00:00I adore Akhmatova's poetry so I'm delighted to see...I adore Akhmatova's poetry so I'm delighted to see you post on her. I also have her complete poems translated by Hemschemeyer and I think she is by far the best translator of Akhmatova (not that I can speak Russian of course, I just prefer her translations). Does your volume have the photo biography also? I love the pictures in it. <BR/>Her poem, 'At the Edge of the Sea', is one of my favourites. <BR/><BR/>Happy New Year and all the best for 2009!Marion McCreadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04657757253873577465noreply@blogger.com