These are all terrific translations of Tagore. The first one, ‘Come As You Are’, is perhaps my favourite because the language is so lively and beautiful and captures, no doubt, much of the original. And this is no small achievement, given that I have seen Burch’s wondrous line, ‘Skip with quicksilver steps across the grass’, translated rather lifelessly (by a less gifted translator) as ‘She steps hurriedly across the grass’. So the translator does make an enormous difference!
These are absolutely wonderful. I don’t think I’ve EVER read any better English rendition of Tagore, you’ve done spectacular and worthy translations. Worthy in every time or place. In fact, these alone elevated the value of poetry for me in general. I will keep coming back to these. The one about the dog broke me, unexpectedly.
I’m there with ya, my muses are jazzed up at night, a bonus of the twilight years. On special midnights we enjoy a perfectly crafted cappuccino with a splash of B&B, like we will enjoy tonight!
It’s a balmy day in the beautiful neighborhood, a perfect day for Rabindranath Tagore, and everyday is, he lives in my strange library in arms reach, there are no dead poets. I love Tagore and he loves me, giggle giggle.
These are all terrific translations of Tagore. The first one, ‘Come As You Are’, is perhaps my favourite because the language is so lively and beautiful and captures, no doubt, much of the original. And this is no small achievement, given that I have seen Burch’s wondrous line, ‘Skip with quicksilver steps across the grass’, translated rather lifelessly (by a less gifted translator) as ‘She steps hurriedly across the grass’. So the translator does make an enormous difference!
I like to believe Tagore himself would like that lyrical line and its image. ;-)
I have no doubt he would. It is indeed very lyrical.
Glad you think so.
These are absolutely wonderful. I don’t think I’ve EVER read any better English rendition of Tagore, you’ve done spectacular and worthy translations. Worthy in every time or place. In fact, these alone elevated the value of poetry for me in general. I will keep coming back to these. The one about the dog broke me, unexpectedly.
I'm glad you liked my translations and the ones about Tagore's mother and the dog are very moving. I also particularly like "Come as You Are."
Do you ever sleep, Sir Michael! Just kidding, G
My Muse keeps waking me up with new ideas!
I’m there with ya, my muses are jazzed up at night, a bonus of the twilight years. On special midnights we enjoy a perfectly crafted cappuccino with a splash of B&B, like we will enjoy tonight!
My Muse prefers a nice cabernet.
Such exquisite earthiness Sir, we owe the gods!
I lean toward Bacchus and Dionysus, the wine gods.
It’s a balmy day in the beautiful neighborhood, a perfect day for Rabindranath Tagore, and everyday is, he lives in my strange library in arms reach, there are no dead poets. I love Tagore and he loves me, giggle giggle.
Tagore is a good poet to snuggle up with!
I believe Tagore was saying that his poems were received better in other countries than in his native India.
I think many poets feel the same way, not accepted in their own land.