I have just written recently about the Sumerian poet/priestess, Enheduanna, and her great anti-war poem, 'Lament for the Spirit of War', and it has spurred in me a desire to read more of these timeless, compelling poems from antiquity. So this, for me, is a very timely post indeed. I think I'll just begin at the beginning with 'The Wife's Lament'. It starts really well, and I'm sure it will continue with the same enticing depth and gravitas:
'I draw these dark words from deep wells of wild grief,
"The Wife's Lament" is valuable not only because it's an excellent example of Anglo-Saxon poetry, but because it may be the first English poem written by a woman, and because it gives us insight into what it was like to be a wife in days of yore, dealing with male chauvinism, gossip, etc.
I find shades of especially one song I listened to, sung by my aunt whose birth just missed the beginning of the beginning of the last century - that was sung by women for generations on a small island in Greece. History books and a stone marker left on an island in the Persian gulf noting the soldiers that followed Alexander. Women known for their strength and their sons and husbands mentioned in ancient texts who left for war or to cross the seas..
All too often we forget how formidable the women were, in times of war, exploration and just ordinary daily survival, while raising children, no less. I'm reminded of the observation that Ginger Rogers matched Fred Astaire while dancing backwards, in heels!
Yes, indeed. Since I joined Substack, I never have a spare moment, and never enough time to read all the poems I'd like to read and all the things that others say when they have done so. No one ever told me that you become busier as you grow older.
I have just written recently about the Sumerian poet/priestess, Enheduanna, and her great anti-war poem, 'Lament for the Spirit of War', and it has spurred in me a desire to read more of these timeless, compelling poems from antiquity. So this, for me, is a very timely post indeed. I think I'll just begin at the beginning with 'The Wife's Lament'. It starts really well, and I'm sure it will continue with the same enticing depth and gravitas:
'I draw these dark words from deep wells of wild grief,
dredged up from my heart, regretful & sad.'
"The Wife's Lament" is valuable not only because it's an excellent example of Anglo-Saxon poetry, but because it may be the first English poem written by a woman, and because it gives us insight into what it was like to be a wife in days of yore, dealing with male chauvinism, gossip, etc.
I find shades of especially one song I listened to, sung by my aunt whose birth just missed the beginning of the beginning of the last century - that was sung by women for generations on a small island in Greece. History books and a stone marker left on an island in the Persian gulf noting the soldiers that followed Alexander. Women known for their strength and their sons and husbands mentioned in ancient texts who left for war or to cross the seas..
All too often we forget how formidable the women were, in times of war, exploration and just ordinary daily survival, while raising children, no less. I'm reminded of the observation that Ginger Rogers matched Fred Astaire while dancing backwards, in heels!
Thanks, Patris, for mentioning that. This site is a mine of information.
It is. One door after another, yes?
Yes, indeed. Since I joined Substack, I never have a spare moment, and never enough time to read all the poems I'd like to read and all the things that others say when they have done so. No one ever told me that you become busier as you grow older.
That’s wonderful Lady Patris !
Oh, that sounds very interesting indeed! I think I may print it out and savour it with a nice glass of red wine.
That's my preferred method when I translate, perhaps explaining the term "loose translations."
Bahahahaha