Centre for Romanian Studies

Poetry in Translation (CCXXXIV – CCXXXVI): Ion CAROIAN (1923, Romania – 1986, Switzerland): “Hope”, “Snow” and “You are weary Wanderer”

Hope:
Ion CAROIAN (1923-1986)

“…in the world of hope
the rocks would split in the mountain and the grass
would creep, all green, through the crevasse,
like the venom
from some absent, or decomposed bowels…”

Romanian version by: Constantin ROMAN,
© 2013, Copyright Constantin ROMAN, London

* * * * * * * *

Snow:
Ion CAROIAN (1923-1986)

“Such purity
discourages me!”

(English version by: Constantin ROMAN,
© 2013, Copyright Constantin ROMAN, London)

* * * * * * *

“You are weary, wanderer”
Ion CAROIAN (1923-1986)

“You are weary, wanderer,
As we are filing in a single line, hooded,
(a fistful of nothingness).
They – the ignorant retainers,
Digested through the stomach of time.
They – the decent rabble.
Give Caesar his dues!
As for the rest, to Hell!”

(English version by: Constantin ROMAN,
© 2013, Copyright Constantin ROMAN, London)

“Voices and Shadows of the Carpathians” compiled by Constantin ROMAN