Translation Weary of the dance, glowing in color, short of breath, leaning on my arm, she stopped at one end of the parlor. Between the faint chiffon lifted by her throbbing breasts, a flower swayed in sweet, rhythmic motion. Like …
Read MoreGustavo Adolfo Bécquer, “Today the earth and the heavens smile at me” (Rhyme XVII)
Translation Today the earth and the heavens smile at me, and the sun reaches the bottom of my soul, I have seen it today… I have watched and seen it… Today I believe in God! Original Spanish Hoy la tierra y los cielos me sonríen, …
Read MoreGustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s “If the little bluebells sway” (Rhyme XVI)
Translation If the little bluebells sway on your balcony, and you think the wind passes with a sigh, murmuring, know that, concealed between the green leaves, I sigh. If, vaguely buzzing behind you, there is a confusing sound, and you think …
Read MoreGustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s “A Vision’s Fiery Daughter” (Rhyme XV)
Translation Floating veil of airy mist, rippled ribbon in frothy white, sonorous sound of the golden harp, kiss of the aura, wave of light: it is you. Shadow of air—and how many times have you vanished when I touch you, as a flame, a sound, …
Read MoreGustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s “I saw you floating before my eyes” (Rhyme XIV)
This poem starts at 1:59 Translation For a moment, I saw you floating before my eyes and the image of your eyes remained, as the dark spot circling a flame that floats and blinds you when you stare at the sun. Wherever I pin my …
Read MoreGustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s “Your eyes are blue”
Translation Your eyes are blue and, when you laugh, their smooth clarity reminds me of the trembling brilliance of morning reflected in the sea. Your eyes are blue and, when you cry, their transparent tears contain the dew drops upon a violet. Your …
Read MoreGustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s “Because your eyes are green” (Rhyme XII)
Translation Because your eyes are green like the sea, my girl, you lament; the nymphs have green eyes, Minerva’s eyes were green, and also green are the pupils of the Prophet’s virgins[1]. Green is the dress and ornament of the forest in spring; the …
Read MoreGustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s “Inflamed, invisible atoms” (Rhyme X)
Some music to go along with the poem Translation Inflamed, invisible atoms flutter about the air, the sky dissolves in golden rays, the earth convulses in joy. Floating on harmonious waves, I hear the murmured kisses and flapping wings; my eyelids close… — What …
Read MoreGustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s “The breeze that kisses softly” (Rhyme IX)
Translation The breeze that kisses softly little waves in playful ripples; the sun that kisses western clouds, nuanced in purple and gold; the flame that slides around a log that burns to kiss another; and even the willow, bending under its weight, returns a kiss …
Read MoreGustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s “When I look at the blue horizon”
Original Spanish My Translation Cuando miro el azul horizonte When I look at the blue horizon perderse a lo lejos, lost in distance, al través de una gasa de polvo through mist dorado e inquieto, of golden dust, stirring, me parece posible arrancarme it seems …
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