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Not Only Violins and Roses





A poet is an artist who disposes
upon an un tau[gh]t canvas wor[l]ds which set
against each other suddenly forget
accepted meanings.  Magic superposes
facettes prismatic - music it proposes
which, surfeiting, fresh appetites will whet.
Like Seurat’s coloured points, together met,
the poet pillows words in many poses
in painting interactions, - what he shows is
the all is one, the one is all, and yet
leaves scope for further progress, as a debt
he owes the Past, bequeaths the future, closes
no doors but leaves posterity to find
with open mind the key to light man’s heart.





Author notes

As a variation on a theme my translation of Alfred de Musset's 'Impromptu' ... French Original below ... Enjoy !

Impromptu

What is Poetry ?


Evacuate all thought and fix the mind
upon a golden guideline, balanced, yet
uncertain still, yet still, yet still upset.
Enshrine a moment’s dream, Time left behind.
Love, beauty, truth, to harmony, soul, bind
within your heart, all echo else forget.
Sing, laugh and cry alone, on chance course set.
In smile, word, sigh and look your art has signed
exquisite canvas, fearful, charming, - find
with a teardrop priceless pearl reset.
The poet’s passion here on Earth is met,
his worth, his life, ambitions, are defined.



Translation Alfred de MUSSET – Impromptu

_______________

Impromptu


Qu’est-ce que la Poésie ?



Chasser tout souvenir et fixer la pensée
Sur un belaxe d’or, la tenir balancée,
Incertaine, inquiète, immobile pourtant;
Eterniser peut-être un rêve d’un instant;
Aimer le vrai, le beau, chercher leur harmonie;
Ecouter dans son coeur l’écho de son génie;
Chanter, rire, pleurer, seul, sans but, au hasard;
D’un sourire, d’un mot, d’un soupir, d’un regard
Faire un travail exquis, plein de crainte et de charme;
Faire une perle d’une larme:
Du poète ici-bas voilà la passion
Voilà son bien, sa vie, et son ambition



Alfred de MUSSET 1810_1857



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Comments

1 - 9 of 9

  • Smores Girl89
    June 15

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    as an artist (and poet, and singer) i can appreciate this greatly. it's always considered one and the same when i think of it all. it's simply art expressed in different media. excellent flow, however at points it flows so smoothly the rhyme gets lost because as one reads along it just keeps going and it's easy to forget the rhythm that must be followed. on the other hand that might be a good thing as the viewer will read it twice. in any case, it's something to think on. again i say 'tis excellent, friend. pen on

    ~m~
  • Trafalger679Curious silver member
    June 12

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    Superb

    Most excellent, my friend. As usual imagery, rhythm and rhyme are just fine. Hope all is continuing to go well with you.

  • Northern Raven
    June 25, 2007

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    At first glance I thought this poem had possibly been entered into the wrong category of this contest but having read it I’m not entirely convinced because this is a love and passion for poetry. I will however consult my fellow judge for his opinion.

    I’ve always thought of poetry as an art form and as such it’s written and viewed with personal individuality and read with unique interpretation. For all the poetry I’ve ever read about why people write poems I think this is the first time ever I’ve witnessed it being expressed in a way that almost completely mirrors my own feelings on it, and I have to add that if I’d tried to put this into words myself, I don’t think I could have done the job half as eloquently as this author has.

    I feel really lost for words after reading this because I think everything it expresses is true, with no singular part of the work being any more or less impressive than another. The entire poem feels ‘part of me’ as it’s what I believe.

    Thank you for entering the Raven Contest 2007 and good luck with your entry! Your work may also be viewed by other Raven judges.

    Northern Raven
  • karabi
    June 20, 2007

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    The piece is very 'intense' and its sound-pattern is really mesmerizing. By the way the translation in the contest introduction is not from Arabic but from Bengali. Your translation is superb.
  • ambergriss gold member
    February 14, 2007

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    the key to light men's heart...what a wonderful line. That's what all art does, too. poetry, music, art, dance. They relax, they soothe..anyway, great way to capture that feeling.

  • astralshepherd gold member
    February 13, 2007

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    i guess you are correct, that is what its about, the magic, the music - the way we attempt to define the indefinable, the illusive, to capture the vapor of an idea’s breath – impossible task yet the allure is surely there and your poem grasps that intangible reverie of mind and thought. Blessings and best wishes, ~richard

  • Night Hope gold member
    February 4, 2007
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    "closes
    no doors but leaves posterity to find
    with open mind the key to light man’s heart."

    Sighhh...Ahhh, yes, my Friend...This is it, precisely...Well depicted, Jonathan...An enjoyable penning on the craft we all love so much, Scribe... Wanda


  • suseann
    February 4, 2007

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    Yep! That's why we write poetry alright! And we in our words do tend to leave open doors for the future to pin/pen it's self to/too. In expression.Very poetic verse.``Suseann

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