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Sappho Poems - Poems about Sappho

Heir on Fire
Heir on Fire by Michael R. Burch I wanted to be Shelley’s heir, Just fourteen years old, and consumed by desire. Why wouldn’t my Muse play fair? I went to work—pale, laden with care: why wouldn’t the words do as I aspired, when I wanted to Keats’s heir? My verse seemed neither here nor there. How the hell did Sappho tune her lyre? And...

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Categories: sappho, homework, poems, school, sick,
Form: Rhyme
Epigrams IX
These are epigrams by Michael R. Burch Road to Recovery by Michael R. Burch It’s time to get up and at ’em and out of this rut that I’m sat in. A man may attempt to burnish pure gold, but who can think to improve on his mother?—Mahatma Gandhi, translation by Michael R. Burch A mother's heart is God's ultimate masterpiece.—St....

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Categories: sappho, beauty, god, mother, recovery
Form: Free verse



Sappho Translations XV
Sappho Translations XV by Michael R. Burch Gaia, rainbow-crowned, garbs herself in myriad hues. (168c) We ran like fawns from the symposium: me, Cleis and reckless Gongyla. (168d) Destiny is from the Muses, / and thus I was destined to leave him / to become / Sappho, Mistress of Song. (168e,f) Unknowing of evil, I was pure innocence. (171) Eros,...

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Categories: sappho, destiny, evil, heart, innocence,
Form: Free verse
Sappho Translations XIV
Sappho Translations XIII by Michael R. Burch In these translations the fragment numbers are mostly Lobel-Page. All translations are by Michael R. Burch and should be so credited if they are used in any way, shape or form. Groom, to whom can I fairly compare you? To a slender sapling. (115) Rejoice, most honored bride and groom! Rejoice!...

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Categories: sappho, dream, father, girl, god,
Form: Free verse
Sappho Translations XIII
Sappho Translations XIII by Michael R. Burch In these translations the fragment numbers are mostly Lobel-Page. All translations are by Michael R. Burch and should be so credited if they are used in any way, shape or form. Andromeda may have abandoned you, but I, Aphrodite, Queen of Cyprus, still love you, Sappho, as the sun illuminates...

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Categories: sappho, beautiful, beauty, desire, joy,
Form: Free verse



Sappho Translations XII
Sappho Translations XII by Michael R. Burch In the following short translations the fragment numbers are mostly Lobel-Page. All translations are by Michael R. Burch and should be so credited if they are used in any way, shape or form. I now, with all my heart, fully, as much as it is possible for me, blossom to...

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Categories: sappho, beautiful, beauty, girl, happiness,
Form: Free verse
Sappho Translations XI
Sappho Translations XI by Michael R. Burch Sappho, fragment 92 translation by Michael R. Burch “Sappho, if you don’t leave your room, I swear I’ll never love you again! Get out of bed, rise and shine on us, take off your Chian nightdress, then, like a lily floating in a pond, enter your bath. Cleis will bring you a violet frock and lovely saffron...

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Categories: sappho, beauty, clothes, flower, god,
Form: Free verse
Sappho Translations X
Sappho Translations X by Michael R. Burch Sappho, fragment 103c translation by Michael R. Burch … remembering delightful Arheanassa, her laughter lovely as any Lorelei's … Sappho, fragment 76 translation by Michael R. Burch Fulfill? At my age I'm just hanging on! Sappho, fragment 50 translation by Michael R. Burch A handsome man pleases the eyes but a good man pleases. Sappho, fragment 88 translation by Michael R. Burch Though...

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Categories: sappho, anger, god, heaven, love,
Form: Free verse
Sappho Translations IX
Sappho Translations IX Sappho, fragment 17 translation by Michael R. Burch Hear me, Queen Hera, as your delightful festival nears, you to whom the sons of Atreus performed vows, those dazzling kings who did such amazing things, first at Troy, then later at sea. And yet, sailing the sea-road to our island, those mighty kings still could not attain it until they had called...

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Categories: sappho, god, heart, men, prayer,
Form: Free verse
Sappho Translations VIII
Sappho Translations VIII by Michael R. Burch Sappho, fragment 68 translation by Michael R. Burch That was then, this is now! In those days my maidenhead was in full bloom, then you … Sappho, fragment 135 translation by Michael R. Burch Golden Persuasion, Aphrodite's daughter, how you deceive mortals! Sappho, fragment 88 translation by Michael R. Burch Why, Procne, delicate swallow, daughter of Pandion, why do you weary me...

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Categories: sappho, brother, daughter, desire, hair,
Form: Free verse
Sappho Translations VII
Sappho Translations VI by Michael R. Burch Sappho, fragment 52 translation by Michael R. Burch Yesterday, you came to my house to sing for me. Today, I come to you to return the favor. Talk to me. Do. Sweet talk, I love the flavor! Please send away your maids and let us share a private heaven- haven. Sappho, fragment 134 translation by Michael R. Burch Selene came to Endymion in the cave, made...

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Categories: sappho, desire, heaven, house, love,
Form: Free verse
Sappho Translations VI
Sappho Translations by VI Michael R. Burch Sappho, fragment 121 translation by Michael R. Burch 1. As a friend you're great, but you need a much younger bedmate. 2. Although you're very dear to me, please don't be silly! You need a much younger filly. Sappho, fragment 105c translation by Michael R. Burch Shepherds trample the larkspur whose petals empurple the heath, foreshadowing shepherds' grief. Sappho, fragment 30 translation by...

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Categories: sappho, best friend, death, love,
Form: Free verse
Sappho Translations V
Sappho Translations V by Michael R. Burch Sappho, fragment 23 translation by Michael R. Burch I long helplessly for love. Gazing into your eyes not even Hermione compares. Who is your equal? I compare you only to goldenhaired Helen among mortal women. Know your love would free me from every care, and keep me awake nightlong beside dewy deltas. Sappho, fragment 78 translation by...

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Categories: sappho, beautiful, children, flower, longing,
Form: Free verse
Sappho Translations IV
Sappho Translations IV by Michael R. Burch Sappho, fragment 133 translation by Michael R. Burch Blushing bride, brimful of rose-petaled love, brightest jewel of the Goddess of Paphos, come to the bridal bed, tenderly entice your bridegroom. May Hesperus lead you starry-eyed to stand awestruck before the silver throne of Hera, Goddess of Marriage! Sappho, fragment 160 translation by Michael R. Burch I shall now sing...

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Categories: sappho, friend, joy, love, marriage,
Form: Free verse
Sappho Translations III
Sappho Translations III by Michael R. Burch Bed the bride with the beautiful feet, or bring her to me! —Sappho, fragment 103b, translation by Michael R. Burch I long helplessly for love. Gazing into your eyes not even Hermione compares. Who is your equal? I compare you only to goldenhaired Helen among mortal women. Know your love would free...

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Categories: sappho, beautiful, beauty, desire, earth,
Form: Free verse

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