Translations Poems - Poems about Translations

LAO TZU ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS IV The Roots of Turbulence by Lao Tzu, translation by Michael R. Burch Heaviness lies at the root of lightness; stillness begets turbulence. Thus the nobleman heads his caravan keeping a constant eye on his possession-laden wagons. At night he sleeps secure behind high-walled towers, undaunted and untroubled. But how can the ruler of ten thousand chariots discard the people so...

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LAO TZU ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS III The Valley Spirit by Lao Tzu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The valley Spirit never runs dry, the river to whom all waters run: the Spirit of our Primal Mother. Deeply rooting Heaven and Earth, to most eyes a delicate veil dimly seen, yet a never-failing Fountainhead. Adhere to the Feminine by Lao Tzu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R....

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LAO TZU ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS I Be Like Water by Lao Tzu, translation by Michael R. Burch The highest virtue resembles water because water unselfishly benefits all life, then settles, without contention or needless strife, in lowly cisterns. Weep for the Dead by Lao Tzu, translation by Michael R. Burch When seeing mounds of the dead the virtuous weep for the loss of life. When one is...

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LAO TZU ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS I An unbending tree breaks easily. —Lao Tzu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Nothing is weaker or gentler than water, yet nothing can prevail against it. —Lao Tzu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch That the yielding overcomes the resistant is known by all men yet utilized by none. —Lao Tzu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Why does the...

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Callimachus English translations For Gail White To the Cup-Bearer by Callimachus translation by Michael R. Burch Decant the wine then toast "To Diokles!" Nor does the beautiful boy Achelous touch his hallowed ladlefuls. So beautiful the boy, Achelous, passing beautiful, and if any disagree, let me alone comprehend real beauty. Pitiless ship, having borne away my life’s sole light, I beseech you...

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These are my English translations of poems and epigrams by the ancient Greek poet Callimachus aka Kallimachos. His surviving poems come from various sources including the Greek Anthology and the Garland of Meleager. The epigrams of Callimachus were so admired in antiquity that they became part of the school curriculum. For Gail White, who put me...

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CHINESE FEMALE POETS: ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS Creamy Melons by Chao Luan-Luan translation by Michael R. Burch Scented with talcum, moist with perspiration, like pegs of jade inlaid in a harp, aroused by desire, yet soft as cream, fertile amid a warm mist after my bath, as my lover perfumes them, cups them and plays with them, cool as melons and purple grapes. Life in the Palace by Lady...

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CHINESE FEMALE POETS: ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS Sung to the tune of “I Paint My Lips Red” by an anonymous courtesan or Li Ch’ing-Chao loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch After swinging and kicking lasciviously, I get off to rouge my palms. Like dew on a delicate flower, perspiration soaks my thin dress. A new guest enters and my stockings flop, my hairpins fall out. Pretending embarrassment, I...

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The Song of Magpies by Lady Ho translation by Michael R. Burch The magpies nest on the Southern hill. You set your nets on the Northern hill. The magpies escape, soar free. What good are your nets? When magpies fly free, in pairs, why should they envy phoenixes? Although I’m a lowly woman, why should I envy the Duke of Sung? A Song of White Hair by...

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KING ALFRED THE GREAT MODERN ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS King Alfred the Great (circa 849-899) was the first English king to be a notable scholar, poet and translator. Alfred has been credited with translating Latin works of Boethius into Old English (i.e., Anglo-Saxon English), although it is not known if he did the translations himself, assisted, or just...

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KING ALFRED THE GREAT MODERN ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS King Alfred the Great (c. 849-899), arguably the first great king of England, may have done more to lay the groundwork for English literacy and literature than any other English monarch. And he was quite the scholar himself, although there is no consensus that the following translations were...

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MIRZA GHALIB ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS Urdu poems about tyranny, the world, sky, sun, wind, night, faith, roses, creation & entropy. Tyranny adores those who adore the tyrant. —Mirza Ghalib, translation by Michael R. Burch Having adopted a mendicant’s rags, Ghalib, I’m amazed by the spectacle of generous people. —Mirza Ghalib, translation by Michael R. Burch I keep up awhile with each new jogger yet...

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MIRZA GHALIB ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS Urdu poems about life, death, Love, longing, hearts, being captive, strength, cruelty, temper, the sun, darkness, shadows and faith. I’m the captive of Love, the Huntress, otherwise I’d have strength to flee. —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Your sidelong glances? Arousing. Your cruelty? Demoralizing. —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Her temper’s an...

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MIRZA GHALIB ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS Urdu poems about speech and to speak, the spoken word, thoughts, roses, life, secrets, joy, pain, vows, critics, the heart. Hearing my speech, accomplished critics enjoined me to accessibility, but my thoughts are complex and if I don’t speak, I’m even harder to understand! —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The rose bestows her glory, true, but...

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MIRZA GHALIB ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS Urdu poems about speech, wine, Paradise, poets, poetry, words and grief. To hear my rose-bestrewing speech, first place the flagon before me! —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Let someone too obedient for wine and honey transform our paradise into hell. —Mirza Ghalib, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Grief overflows the cup despite the abundance...

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