I started reading the poems in this post, then I couldn't stop because I agree with Mike: Ono no Komachi is a major poet, in the same mould as Sappho, with poems that are emotional, erotic and totally compelling. I especially love the first poem, which sets out clearly who she is and her joy and pride in being so.
If fields of autumn flowers
can shed their blossoms, shameless,
why can’t I also frolic here —
as fearless, wild and blameless?
—Ono no Komachi,
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
I love Ono no Komachi’s work. Her style remind me a great deal of Sappho’s, and I absolutely agree that she is a major poet. Thank you for providing us with such beautiful translations of her work, Mike!
Ono no Komachi is one of my favorite poets to translate, and she does remind me of Sappho. And to be frank, I think I have the best Komachi translations. Hopefully they will catch on.
I started reading the poems in this post, then I couldn't stop because I agree with Mike: Ono no Komachi is a major poet, in the same mould as Sappho, with poems that are emotional, erotic and totally compelling. I especially love the first poem, which sets out clearly who she is and her joy and pride in being so.
If fields of autumn flowers
can shed their blossoms, shameless,
why can’t I also frolic here —
as fearless, wild and blameless?
—Ono no Komachi,
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Martin, I'm glad we agree
about Ono no Komachi!
I love Ono no Komachi’s work. Her style remind me a great deal of Sappho’s, and I absolutely agree that she is a major poet. Thank you for providing us with such beautiful translations of her work, Mike!
Ono no Komachi is one of my favorite poets to translate, and she does remind me of Sappho. And to be frank, I think I have the best Komachi translations. Hopefully they will catch on.
I hope so as well.