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Entries Tagged as 'translation'

Poetry in Translation (XXXVIII – XL): Mircea Dinescu (b. 1953): Three Poems (Romanian English and French)

June 25th, 2006 · Comments Off on Poetry in Translation (XXXVIII – XL): Mircea Dinescu (b. 1953): Three Poems (Romanian English and French) · PEOPLE, Poetry, Translations

“Venerable Marx, if you lived in these lands
You would be quickly clean shaven and sent to a school for re-education.
The fact that even the cows from the East
Which grazed near the railway line
Now think that they are locomotives and stopped giving milk
Is a mistake put to your name.
It would be so good if the cities were ruled by merchants
So that the marketplace should not stink of so much rhetoric
Let free the brewers, the pastrami makers, the milkmen
Full of the dialectics of fermented hops
And of the hardened cheese.

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Poetry in Translation (XXXVII): Bernardo ATXAGA – Poet Basc (n.1951), “VIATA” (Bizitzak)

June 16th, 2006 · Comments Off on Poetry in Translation (XXXVII): Bernardo ATXAGA – Poet Basc (n.1951), “VIATA” (Bizitzak) · PEOPLE, Poetry, Translations

Viata ne-apare
ca un sir de contraste:
Cand nu e-o jungla
E complect desarta
de ori ce vis.

La fel ca Toamna asta,
Cu ferigi palite,
cand i-e dor de
Zapada
si de haite de Lupi
sa fie despuiata
ca infinitul iarna.

Iar Soarelui, Soarelui i-e dor
de raza de lumina pura
orbind ca sageata memoria
Albinelor.

In timp ce Noaptea,
Noaptea viseaza doar
la prima clipa
Cand a fost noapte.

Si-asa
ca Nici o data
sau
ca Intotdeauna
imi bate inima-n
ritmul
acestor doua extreme, fiind, din pacate,
tot ce-mi doresc.

Tradus in Romaneste de Constantin Roman
dupa versiunea Engleza de Amaia Gabantxo
Londra SW1, Iunie 2006

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Poetry in Translation (XXXIV -XXXVI): Adrian Paunescu – “Nicolae Ceausescu, In Memoriam”

June 7th, 2006 · Comments Off on Poetry in Translation (XXXIV -XXXVI): Adrian Paunescu – “Nicolae Ceausescu, In Memoriam” · PEOPLE, Poetry, Translations

We have not heard from Mr. Paunescu for some time, at least not since his memorable appearance in the United Kingdom, as guest of the International Poetry Festival “Stanza’s”, at the University of St. Andrew’s, Scotland, A.D. 2000.
As our readers will recall, this Festival was organised by the talented Scottish bard, Dr. Gavin Bowd – who introduced Adrian Paunescu as “Romania’s greatest poet and dissident too”. We are very sad to hear since of Dr. Bowd’s severing his links with the very fastival he helped create and would like to reassure him that by his unexpected departure Romania’s poetry lost a staunch supporter.

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Poetry: Constantin ROMAN (XXVII) – Smaranda, In Memoriam Smaranda Braescu (1897-1948)

May 29th, 2006 · Comments Off on Poetry: Constantin ROMAN (XXVII) – Smaranda, In Memoriam Smaranda Braescu (1897-1948) · Books, PEOPLE, Poetry, Translations

SMARANDA BRAESCU s-a nascut intr-o familie de tarani moldoveni din judetul Barlad. A fost parasutista, pilot, campioana europeana la parasutism (1931) si mondiala (in 1932, cu recordul de 7.200m la Sacramento, SUA). Pentru acest record Braescu a fost investita cu Crucea de aur “Virtutea Aeronautica”. In 1932 a stabilit primul record de traversare a Marii Mediterane in 6 ore 10 minute, strabatand distanta de 1100 Km, intre Roma si Tripoli, in propriul sau avion de tip Milles Hawk. Desi in Statele Unite i s-au oferit contracte lucrative Braescu a preferat sa se intoarca in Romania refuzand sa exploateze gloria de campioana in scopuri comerciale.
In timpul raboiului a fost activa ca pilot in celebra “Escadrila Alba” pe frontul de Rasarit si apoi pe frontul de Vest in Transilvania, Ungaria si Cehoslovacia.

Smaranda Braescu – Romanian Pioneer Pilot & Parachutist
Smaranda Braescu – Romanian Pioneer Pilot & Parachutist

Protestul transmis de Braescu Natiunilor Unite si Comandamentului Aliat din Romania demascand alegerile masluite din 1946 i-au atras urmarirea de catre politia politica a regimului Petru Groza. In continuare Braescu a activat in rezistenta anti-comunista, dar in 1948 a fost internata grav bolnava de cancer intr-un spital din Cluj. Aici a decedat in urma interventiei chirurgicale si a fost ingropata sub numele conspirativ de Maria Popescu. Totusi, la putin timp Securitatea a interogat si arestat toate persoanele implicate inclusiv medicii care au ingrijit-o la spital.

Dar ura administratiei comuniste a urmarit-o pe eroina noastra pana si in locul ei de veci, “unde nu este nici durere nici suspin” asa cum ne asigura ortodoxia noastra. In anul 1970 mormantul Smarandei Braescu, ingropata sub numele conspirativ de Maria Popescu a fost vandut unei alte familii si ori si ce urma a existentei acestei femei-erou din cimitirul central sin Cluj a disparut. Prin acest act s-a consfiintit conspiratia tacerii impuse de regimul comunist.

Dupa caderea regimului totalitar memoria eroului pilot Smaranda Braescu a fost reabiltata si mai multe strazi din Romania ii poarta numele, iar prin decretul prezidential din 1996, batalionul de parasutisti 498 a primit “drapelul de lupta Smaranda Braescu”: prea putin, prea tarziu!

“SMARANDA”

Smaranda, unde esti?
Te-ai avantat in zboruri printre nori
Din ceruri coborat-ai ca un fulg
Peste Ocean, cantata indelung
Urale ti-au adus de-atatea ori.

N-ai vrut onoruri si nici bani mai multi
Cinstit-ai vrut sa stai printre Romani
Si te-ai intors atunci la noi in munti…
Cu “Escadrila Alba” ai rapus
Dusmani din Rasarit si din Apus.

In ’46 cand s-au masluit
Alegerile suflul ti-au taiat
Ca bunii tai cu jalba in protap
Mai-marilor de-atuncea te-ai jelit
Dar soarta ta fugar-ai fost sa fii.

Din talcul vietii tale ti-a fost dat
Sa nu renunti la lupta nici de cum
Cu fruntea-n sus sa mergi pe-acelasi drum
Cand boala floarea vietii ti-a curmat
Si-n groapa zaci sub nume de-mprumut.

N-au fost nici popi, nici rude, nici parinti
O candela sa-ti puna pe mormant
Nici vesnici pomeniri, pomeni sau sfinti
Nu s-au aflat s-aline trupul tau
De cine-ai fost sa sufle vre-un cuvant.

Dar pilda ta n-a fost intr-un zadar
Acum ca roata vietii s-a rotit
Si patru zeci de ani trecut-au, chiar
O strada cu-al tau nume in sfarsit
Te va slavi atata cum mai stim.

Constantin ROMAN
Londra, Mai, 2006

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Read more about Smaranda Braescu in:

Blouse Roumaine – The Unsung Voices of Romanian Women

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Poetry in Translation (XXIX – XXXIII): Flavia TEOC (b. 1971) – Five Poems

May 15th, 2006 · Comments Off on Poetry in Translation (XXIX – XXXIII): Flavia TEOC (b. 1971) – Five Poems · PEOPLE, Poetry, Translations

THE SONG OF THE HAMSTER’S COAT

As of today
You are free to go downtown.
The trees’ green tops
Will bend like grass blades
The hot shoulder of the beautiful woman
Is only a passing idol
You, brown hamsters,
You will soon learn this thing
Like all real men do.

CANTECUL HAINEI DE HARCIOG

De azi
Aveti voie sa iesiti in oras.
Varfurile verzi ale copacilor
Se vor apleca asemeni firului de iarba
Umarul cald al femeii frumoase
E doar un idol de-o clipa
Voi, harciogii bruni
Veti invata acest lucru
Ca toti barbatii adevarati.

END OF SUMMER

The sleepy summer presses in its palm
My old cup of tea
With a chipped rim.
August is almost ancient
With his short-sighted eyes fixed on the hot
Brew, while its thoughts are already chasing
The hunt in the polar plains.
The sleepy summer could hardly
Suppress a yawn, as wide as the Blue
Sea.
From now on, thinking of herself,
She will be less talkative.

SFARSIT DE VARA

Somnoroasa vara strange-n palme
Ceasca mea de ceai
Cu buza plesnita.
August e aproape batran
Si-a fixat ochii miopi in licoarea
Fierbinte, dar gandul lui a inceput
Vanatoarea la poluri.
Somnoroasa vara abia si-a
Oprit un cascat, mare cat golful
Albastru.
Vorbind despre sine, de-acum
N-o sa mai fie atat de guraliva.

SUNDAY

It’s nine o’clock
The well-fed cat will fall asleep
Under the red sun.

Afternoon is a fragile realm
The block of butter is melting
In the hot pan.

At seven in the evening, I will bathe
In the pool of my chest my heavy face
Sulphur-like flaxen, lone as the mist.

At ten I say my prayers.
But till tomorrow
All will be forsaken.

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Poetry in Translation (XXVI): Hector MCDONNELL (b.1947) – “Sf. Patrick”

February 18th, 2006 · Comments Off on Poetry in Translation (XXVI): Hector MCDONNELL (b.1947) – “Sf. Patrick” · PEOPLE, Poetry, Translations

Patrick, cine esti Tu?
Te cautam prin versuri latinesti
Bezmetici prin noianul de nestiri

Cuvintele-ti ne scapa printre maini
Iar leaganul nu-ti este nicaieri
Erai in Mayo sau in Slemish Hill?
Si ce uriasi te-au strans la pieptul lor?

Aiurea,
L-ai strigat pe Dumnezeu
Ce-a coborat adanc in trupul tau
Sa-ti dea curaj sa-nvingi la drumuri noi

Care-a fost imparatul
Ce te-a-njosit? Unde-ai plecat?
Te cautam, dar inca nu te stim
Strajerii tai se uita-n varf de munti si-asteapta
Pasul tau.

(traducere de Constantin ROMAN, Feb. 2006)

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Poetry in Translation (XXIV): Ion Caraion – “Seul au Monde” / “Singur pe lume”

November 12th, 2005 · Comments Off on Poetry in Translation (XXIV): Ion Caraion – “Seul au Monde” / “Singur pe lume” · Diaspora, PEOPLE, Poetry, Translations

– Où vous emmènnent-ils, Monsieur?
– Dans le jardin, mon rêve.
– Pour quoi faire, Monsieur?
– Pour me fusiller, mon rêve.
– Parce qu’ils ont des balles, Monsieur?
– Parce qu’ils ont le temps, mon rêve.
– Où vous enterreront-ils, Monsieur?
– Sous la neige, mon rêve.
– Avez-vous peur, Monsieur?
– Je trouve ça révoltant, mon rêve.
– Qui doit-on prévenir, Monsieur?
– Les feux de l’enfer, mon rêve.
– Ça va aller quand même, Monsieur?
– Il fera nuit, mon rêve.
– Qui est votre plus proche parent, Monsieur?
– Je suis seul au monde, mon rêve.
– Voulez-vous boire un verre, Monsieur?
– Qu’est-ce que ça va me coûter, mon rêve?
– Peu importe le prix, Monsieur.
– Le calice est-il empoisonné, mon rêve?
– Vous n’en voulez pas, Monsieur?
– Casse-le en mille morceaux, mon rêve!
– Doit-on vous pleurer, Monsieur?
– Inutile, mon rêve.
– Bonne nuit, Monsieur.
– Dormons ensemble, mon rêve!
– Je dors seul, Monsieur.

* * * * * * * * * *

Alone in the World

by Ion Caraion. Translated by Constantin Roman.

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Sanda Stolojan (1919-2005) – In Memoriam

August 20th, 2005 · Comments Off on Sanda Stolojan (1919-2005) – In Memoriam · Uncategorized

Sanda Stolojan, essayst, poet, memorialist, journalist, Interpreter to all French Presidents since de Gaulle and political activist for democracy and human rights in Romania, has died in Paris, at the age of 86. ———————————————————————————– Extract from the forthcoming Anthology of Romanian Women entitled “Blouse Roumaine” http://www.blouseroumaine.com/freeexcerpt_p23.html ——————————————————————————- Sanda Stolojan belongs to a family of Romanian […]

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Poetry in Translation (XXI): Rodica Draghincescu, (b. 1962) – “Nocturnal Embrace”

April 10th, 2005 · Comments Off on Poetry in Translation (XXI): Rodica Draghincescu, (b. 1962) – “Nocturnal Embrace” · Books, PEOPLE, Poetry, Translations

Nocturnal embrace (II)
(Caresse nocturne II)

Evening is set

I swim to the bottom of my inner self

like a sea creature

I avoid memory

Under the bridge of solitude

I steal more secretly than the night

when I go hungry of limbo

I derail amongst the calendar days

tattooing their bodies with embers

“whom amongst you

will come to look for me?”

(Translated from French by Constantin ROMAN)
April 2005

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Poetry in Translation (XVIII): Marjorie AGOSIN (Chile) – “Femeie Disparuta”

March 25th, 2005 · Comments Off on Poetry in Translation (XVIII): Marjorie AGOSIN (Chile) – “Femeie Disparuta” · Diaspora, Poetry, Translations

“Femeie Disparuta”

(Marjorie Agosin, n. 1955, Chile)

Sunt femeia disparuta
Intr-o tara intrata in negura,
Cu glasul innecat
De mania temnitei
Celor fara pomenire.
Si tu, inca nu ma zaresti?
Inca nu-mi deslusesti glasul
Din peregrinarile
Prin fumul dens
Al terorii?
Priveste-ma,
Nopti, zile, saptamani tacute
Canta-ma
Ca nimeni
Sa nu ma loveasca
Striga-ma
Ca sa-mi redai
Un nume,
O voce,
O epiderma care sa ma inveleasca,
Spunandu-mi pe nume.

Nu conspira cu uitarea
Rupe tacerea
Vreau sa fiu femeia renescuta
Din labirinturi
Revenind
Recastigand-mi
Numele.
Striga-mi numele.

(Redat in Romaneste de Constantin ROMAN, Martie 2004)

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