Greek Poems

Popular Greek Poems
Translations by Michael R. Burch
by Michael R. Burch

These are Michael R. Burch's modern English translations of poems written in Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, Russian, Ukrainian, Tamil, Turkish and other languages.



TRANSLATIONS OF FRENCH POETRY



Ophélie (“Ophelia”), an Excerpt
by Arthur Rimbaud

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Athenian Epitaphs/Epigrams
by Michael R. Burch

Athenian Epitaphs/Epigrams

These are translations of ancient Greek epitaphs inscribed on steles (tombstones and other monuments) by the ancient Greeks in remembrance of their dead. I use the term "after" for my translations because they are loose translations and/or interpretations rather than word-for-word translations.

The Seikilos Epitaph
by Michael R. Burch, after Seikilos of Euterpes

1.
Shine, while you live;
blaze beyond grief,

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Best Poetry Translations of Michael R. Burch (III)
by Michael R. Burch

Mnemosyne was stunned into astonishment when she heard honey-tongued Sappho, wondering how mortal men merited a tenth Muse. — Antipater of Sidon, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Sappho, fragment 42
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Eros harrows my heart:
wild winds whipping desolate mountains
uprooting oaks.

Sappho, fragment 155

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Master Bation
by Rumi Ullidov

I began with a slow movement of hand-
Much like a breeze of air touching a woman's hair.
Then, I roughly fastened and the rhythm began to change-
Much like a rabbit running for its life.
Then, again, I touched it harder and harder again.
A lot more pressure I put into it-
Much like a strong handshake from a mountaineer.
Harder and harder... harder again,
Until something started to come:
White and glorious... a decent act!

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Atlas' Lament
by Author Reinvented

Some say they bear the weight of the world on their shoulders;
I laugh, for such punishment is mild.
My laugh, a hollow, empty laugh,
Garnished with a bitter smile.

Oh, what I would give; Oh! What precious blood I would shed,
To have born, instead, the world's weight,
To have, instead, a different task,
Than be cursed with love so great.


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Recent Greek Poems
Best Poetry Translations of Michael R. Burch (III)
by Michael R. Burch

Mnemosyne was stunned into astonishment when she heard honey-tongued Sappho, wondering how mortal men merited a tenth Muse. — Antipater of Sidon, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Sappho, fragment 42
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Eros harrows my heart:
wild winds whipping desolate mountains
uprooting oaks.

Sappho, fragment 155

......

Continue reading
Athenian Epitaphs/Epigrams
by Michael R. Burch

Athenian Epitaphs/Epigrams

These are translations of ancient Greek epitaphs inscribed on steles (tombstones and other monuments) by the ancient Greeks in remembrance of their dead. I use the term "after" for my translations because they are loose translations and/or interpretations rather than word-for-word translations.

The Seikilos Epitaph
by Michael R. Burch, after Seikilos of Euterpes

1.
Shine, while you live;
blaze beyond grief,

......

Continue reading
Translations by Michael R. Burch
by Michael R. Burch

These are Michael R. Burch's modern English translations of poems written in Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, Russian, Ukrainian, Tamil, Turkish and other languages.



TRANSLATIONS OF FRENCH POETRY



Ophélie (“Ophelia”), an Excerpt
by Arthur Rimbaud

......

Continue reading
the river sticks
by Grace McDonough

Eternal nothing would be a gift
Why do i spend this time fearing it
It could be a welcomed feeling
I’d let it in
And brush its cheek
Let it enter me--
Bear it.

The river will guide me down
To the hell

......

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Atlas' Lament
by Author Reinvented

Some say they bear the weight of the world on their shoulders;
I laugh, for such punishment is mild.
My laugh, a hollow, empty laugh,
Garnished with a bitter smile.

Oh, what I would give; Oh! What precious blood I would shed,
To have born, instead, the world's weight,
To have, instead, a different task,
Than be cursed with love so great.


......

Continue reading
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