h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi, lovely poem indeed. I still have the images of it. The swirling leaves, the light... delight - ful

I´ve thought you may like this. A23484882
And please, forgive the clumnsyness of some words. I haven´t finished yet.

Have a very good day


Mar

Muchisimas gracias!
Me gusta mucho los versos que has traducido.

Hasta pronto.

Les

Les,
maybe you don´t know that it must be translated what we say in other language. Probably not problem with a few words... but, I wouldn´t want to see any of your posts yikesed

so, for moderators:

"Thank you very much!

I like the verses you have translated very much"

***
I´m glad you like them. Oda a la vida Retirada is one of my favourites. It smooths my mind.

I´d love to add to that Entry some poems from the Golden Centuries. A glorious time for the Arts in Spain, (Renaissance and Barroque)
The problem is that the translation es extremely difficult for me. I certainly would betray and spoil the wonders of that pieces of art.

Im thinking of Garcilaso de la Vega, Quevedo, Góngora, Lope de Vega, San Juan de la Cruz...
I'll try anyway, maybe a few lines only. Just to give a sample of how rewarding could be to read them in Spanish. ( but not now, Im a bit busy these days, I'm still wondering what I am doing typing this maybe it's because I´ve heard the "laughter of a stranger", as Amelia says, and I´ve liked it.

Let´s see if your Spanish can digest this bit of Lope de Vega ( Rimas, 1602)

Desmayarse, atreverse, estar furioso,
áspero, tierno, liberal, esquivo,
alentado, mortal, difunto, vivo,
leal, traidor,cobarde y animoso;

no hallar fuera del bien centro y reposo,
mostrarse alegre, triste, humilde, altivo,
enojado, valiente, fugitivo,
satisfecho, ofendido, receloso;

huir el rostro al claro desengaño,
beber veneno por licor suave,
olvidar el provecho, amar el daño;

creer que un cielo en un infierno cabe,
dar la vida y el alma a un desengaño:
esto es amor: quien lo probó lo sabe.

Hi! Thanks for your message. Yes, I did know about the posting in another language but had forgotten. Maybe I should keep to English anyway.

Thanks too for the Lope de Vega, I shall enjoy reading it in the original Spanish and try a little translation. It won't be easy I think. A literal translation may be straightforward enough but to capture the spirit of the poetry may be more difficult.

I'm glad you liked the "Laughter" poem. I wrote it just the day before posting it here and I enjoyed creating it (with help from Amelia T of course!)

Amelia... is...



Good girl that Amelia

:::

I think this summer I will give another push to the Entry. Colaborations wellcome

back to work


Mar

Oh yes, she's a great help!

Hi! Posting here as it's not poetry!

How long are you in Granada? Is this for holiday celebrations, maybe with family? I hope you have a lovely time and return, full of verses for our delight.

We are going to my daughter in Kent for a few days which will be fun!

Look forward to 'talking' with you again soon.

Les

Thanks Les for your warm words, here and in the BP thread.

My husband´s and my family live in Granada, our hometown. We haven´t seen them since summer. We will celebrate Navidad there. The good thing is that we get together. We always have a very good time.

And you with your daughter... and grand-son too? Hope you have a very good time too.

See you soon,

María

Our daughter doesn't have children - high-powered career woman!

Our son has 3 children: 2 girls (3yrs + 5yrs) and a boy of just 6 months. They're all delightful of course! We shan't see them at Navidad but did see them a little while ago, so not too bad.

Have fun!
Les

This is about Granada:

A29056601

But the picture is horrible. A pity, because there are plenty and assorted beautiful sights there.


Sure you are a charming abuelo.


And... I must leave, it´s one at night here, and tomorrow...and I havén´t packed yet all!


Have a very good time

You too.

Hasta luego amiga!

Les

I see you are back from Granada, welcome back!
I hope you have enjoyed celebrating Navidad with your family.

We'll talk soon.
Les

Hi elD, thanks for your amables words, you always so agradable.

My Navidad, too short, but... that´s the way it is.

Now, to work, but I hope to have some spare moments to drop here and in the BP thread. It´s really refresing and is helping me to discover my inner poetaster. I love poetry, but the only things I write are some kind of inner and outer analysis of things that happen and worry me. It´s like a letter to myself, and I do it in my diary. And now because of my studies, compulsory essays( I want to be a primary teacher, I usually teach teenagers).

What I really enjoy is that English is not my language and I write more out of intuition than anything else.
All of us are artists, because we enjoy the process of making and giving our dear "criatures" away to a group of friends. No cold literary judgements, we are playing with words and I love it.

I hope to read Amelia colourful and tasty verses soon.
Now, a present for you, for being such a caballero. YOur amable hand grabbed me into the BP thread when I was leaving. I must always thank that to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W43fLjmZevo

The lyrics of Granada are real Bad poetry but the singer... that´s gold.
YOu may want to click on any of Isaac Albeniz, that´s delicious spanish classic guitar. I recommend it.

hasta pronto, amigo mío.

Mar

Hi Mar! It's good to hear from you and I'm glad you enjoyed your time away, even if it did seem too short.

Thanks for the you-tube link. I especially enjoyed the Isaac Albéniz. As you say, delicioso!

Amelia and I must now put our minds to some more verses. We have become quite idle during the past few days and that really will not do!

Hasta pronto,
Les

Hi Les, you are so sweet and kind.

You are the mano amiga. Thanks for that of "wise words" That´s too much. I just needed to share the "rabia".

I will visit the place you have linked. I need to write an essay about ecumenism or universal ethics... well, I hope it will help me. One of the subjects I´m studying is Religion and Culture. I´m a bit tight with time...

Kissitos

Mar

Wow, that sounds like "in at the deep end"!

If you want to bounce thoughts off me, feel free. I'm not by any means a fount of all knowledge but I know it can sometimes help to clarify one's own thoughts.

Hi! I´ve just registered in Globethics.net! a link in the page you linked.

It seems really helpful.


and... don´t be "impressed" Im closer to be a dilettante than to "the deep end"
The subject ends now in January. It´s compulsory, as it´s a Catholic University. I wouldn´t have choosen it, silly prejudices: I´m a non-believer; but now I´m happy with it. I´m learning quite a lot. The teacher is really good and we have connected quite well, despite it is an online course and I "see"
him once a month only. But internet, oh the Internet!!! Helps to keep a good and interesting relationship with teachers. I´d say even richer in some aspects.


And heartfelt gracias for your offer. Thank you indeed. YOu are an experienced man and a good natured one too, both qualities are really acomplishing. Im 42 years old, so, I still have to learn a lot.

Buenas noches, amigo
¿apagas tú la luz?
Night

I too need to go to bed. I hope to talk with you again soon.

¿la luz?
Si, con placer!

Hi Mar!

Are you sure it was a link of mine that led you to Globethics? Anyway, whether it was or not I'm glad you found it and I hope it will serve as a useful resource. I took a look at it myself and it does look quite impressive.


Les

I just finished this, at least I think it's finished but I guess it might get 'worked on' in my sleep. I hope you like it.

Gecko

Look! The builders have playfully sculpted a gecko
In the plaster.
There - high up on the wall.

Knowing how we love to watch them
In the evening
While we sip our red wine
One craftsman
Had generously gifted us his skill.

In the soft light of the lamp
In the heat of the tropical evening
I study the exquisite creature
While the sounds of the plantation night
Drift in on the still air
Across the open veranda.
Near-pink, scaly-smooth skin;
Unblinking glass-marble eyes;
Minutely fashioned feet -
The sucker-toes one with the wall.
Breathless.
Silent.

But the gaudy butterfly is not fooled!
A split-second away from her inanimate nemesis
She flirts and flaunts herself
Shamelessly.
Drawn by his stillness
She settles
And watches.
And I watch.
Mesmerised by the stillness
I watch.
Even the sounds of the night are hushed
As though in anticipation;
An audience on the edge of a drama,
We wait.

They wait because they expect a drama:
The lightening flash that will pierce the foolish insect.
The ending that they have witnessed so many times.
But me? Why do I sit transfixed,
Like them, holding my breath
When I know.
This object of the craftsman's skill,
Motionless there on the wall.

And then
Oh so slowly
He lifts
One plaster foot
And moves.

Amelia T