Long Adriatic Poems

This is my translation of the first of Rilke’s Duino Elegies. Rilke began the first Duino Elegy in 1912, as a guest of Princess Marie von Thurn und Taxis, at Duino Castle, near Trieste on...

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Erstwhile his skin was beautiful as an obsidian, with great markings alongside his face, as was the likeness of the Benin people; an imagery so poignant and meaningful.
His shoulders were wide, his back strong and...

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Spellbound by the shimmering moonlight by the silent lagoon,
the oldest witness to every lover's secrets in enchanted Venice,
whispering soft words, afraid of being stolen by that stranger
who could be a wanderer or an intruder...
the dry...

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Devastated at the news I've heard.
Totally shocked this is absurd
The passing of a Welsh legend
Proud to have served my butty friend.

He started his long career
As a proud Welsh infanteer
He then transferred to the Corps
His knowledge...

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I'd like to see Venice,
the city of eternal peace
to which poets and painters flock;
the sunset' hues are impressive at dusk.  


I'd like to ride in a gondola,
and admire La Serenissima
while the venetian gondolier sings...

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Chinrest in place I begin to play my violin and the whole world 
                     ...

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Moonlight was the only light to make streaks across
a sky full of suspense which even a thief was afraid of;
and as I dragged you along lamp-lit, narrows streets,
we seemed two ghosts wearing human masks...
but what...

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O Serenissima,*fabled city 
guarding the bluest lagoon, remain
the Queen of the Adriatic Sea;
on a gondola I glide while
the gondolier sings to luminous stars.

Under bridges of moonlight,
mysteries increase by the dozen;
standing on the Bridge Of Sighs,
a...

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A night in Venice (in sotto voce)


Moonlight shimmers over the Adriatic sea
Stars dancing on the waves in perfect symmetry
We talk of ancient adventure and gallantry

Masquerading dancers begin to fill the street
Smiling as they parade by,...

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A cat on a baking tray does not require a lid or a helmet. And driving very fast is good for a fish knife. Laughter omitting from wheeled floating spoons but powerful cutlery drawers can...

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Creativity given to a pen
moved by a thoughtful man,
divulges ideas with a steady rhythm...
not minding noises, just writing what pleases him.


Find him dreaming on a deserted island in the Adriatic Sea,
laying on a soft blanket...

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A BEAUTIFUL LATIN GIRL

From South America I
Find a girl gifted and
endowed with beauty
My humble Latin woman
Of great and terracious honour

Eyes like a tempest blue sea
So pure and chaste
Like Adriatic sea.

Soft body like dew on 
Evergreens...

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the rain falls hard and the puddles rise deep
your interest in me is faltering steep
I try to make the difference by splitting it in two
but my heart hasn't the strength mentally due

the energy sails quickly...

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Guns and knives,
parties up all night.
Say you have nothing to lose.

Girls in short skirts
who don't care what you're worth.
You only want whats bad for you.

I wanna love you.
Be with me, be with me.

You have plans...

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Essence of night graces senses on balcony caressed
in fairest moon. A serenade of longing scrolls over depths  
of love downstream to the Adriatic. All prudence portrayed 
in austere daylight, forbid love. Yet, darkness holds...

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