Another one from one of my favorite Spanish poets, Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836-1870). My Translation Rhyme 30 A tear was peeking from her eyes, and from my lips, a phrase forgiving; she wiped away her tear as I spoke proud, and the phrase on my …
Read MoreGustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s “Seeing the hours of my fever”
This is a sad poem by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836-1870), written when he was sick and dying, wondering if any woman would love him as he slips further into sickness and if anyone would remember him after he dies. He fell into his final sleep …
Read More“The Stranger” by Gabriela Mistral (1889-1957)
This is a poem beautiful in its sadness, empathy, and understanding of xenophobia. It tells of a woman who’s come to live in the local community from a far away land, speaking forever with an accent and a native tongue that’s unintelligible. Her god is …
Read MoreA scary one to translate :P
By Manuel Gonzáles Prada: My translation He who translates badly Plays the role of lackey Robed in clothes grotesquely Mocking the poet with “love.” Spanish original Google Translator: press speaker button to listen Mal traductor de poeta Hace papel de lacayo Grotescamente vestido Con los …
Read MoreGustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s “I’m fiery, brunette”
This poem by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836-1870) is about wanting the unobtainable in love. Here is a beautiful musical version in Spanish: The translation is pretty straightforward in this case and doesn’t differ too much from the literal translation, except for some rearrangement and omissions to …
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