36 Comments
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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thanks for sharing this, @Diane’s Blue Forum !

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

My thanks to @Kimberly Root for this restack!

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Martin Mc Carthy's avatar

I'm a little surprised you haven't saved this beautiful poem for the springtime, Paul, but then all good poems transcend time and are welcome any day. And maybe that's the idea. Maybe you are reminding us now that all things run their inevitable course and are renewed. I can already feel the optimism or positivity of that first line:

"Spring arrives as a resurrection in a hush of green."

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

I think I’m feeling more like spring than fall or winter right now, but I don’t know why. It must be spring somewhere in the world—what about Australia?

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Martin Mc Carthy's avatar

Strangely enough, it feels more like springtime here in Ireland today. It's lovely and sunny as if the day itself was reborn from the recent period of autumn chill and early darkness. Nice poem, my friend!

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Portia's avatar

The power of poetry is such that I can accept those goodbyes, those questions with no answers, even though they're painful, because I know someone else feels this, and it makes us less alone.

Paul, check out this Esenin's poem https://chenrafaeli.substack.com/p/e99 in Chen's marvellous translation, the last two verses echo the spirit of yours.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

I've always felt the same way about writing, Portia. If something I write is able to evoke a feeling in a reader, we both feel less alone. Thank you for sharing the Esenin poem--I understand!

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Portia's avatar

Only connect, right?

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Chen Rafaeli's avatar

Oh that's the one I've translated (interestingly- I like my translation more. Usually never happens)))

Thank you for this, dear Portia

Needless to say- thank you, Paul

(even though I need to give up now on some idea. Or maybe not. We'll see. )

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

You translated the same Esenin poem? Serendipity!

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Chen Rafaeli's avatar

:)

Serendipity has a name🤍

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Portia's avatar

Chen, can I find your translation in one of your posts? I'd like to change the link to yours, if you allow me to.

Don't give up on your ideas, I'd love to read what you come up with!

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Chen Rafaeli's avatar

oh now, why should you change anything?? but I'll try to find the link anyway (obviously I'd never dare to touch Esenin if not for Larisa. Konstantin also did a translation of this poem that very day, we got interested in the challenge. )

As for an idea -it was about photographing the books. Only specific ones. I almost started the other day but while I was looking for a good lighting, unexpectedly guests came, and I was "whew! thanks God they didn't see me building a mountain of books on some armchair just to take a picture of them. That'd be really funny)

Back to Paul's poem- to me it's about love. Today.

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Portia's avatar

Of course, now I remember Larisa's challenge. It would be wonderful to link to both your works, you and Kostya are amazing translators!

A mountain of books on an armchair is what photography was invented for.

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Chen Rafaeli's avatar

Kostya IS amazing translator, hope he comes and shows his

He is never scared somehow.

(I saved some of his translations in my email that's where I squirrel things; but I believe these were of Brodsky)

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Portia's avatar

Thanks darling, I just edited my post to put the link to your excellent translation.

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Chen Rafaeli's avatar

omg always told you you're too kind.

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Hal Grotevant's avatar

Thank you, Paul. A beautiful way to start the week - with a reminder of the continuity of the seasons, just as we are entering fall. With that timing, it takes on even deeper meaning. The cycle of life goes on...

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Good morning, Hal, and thank you.

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Lauren Osornio's avatar

Now that I understand spring. I want to know what fall has to tell us.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

I’ll have to see if I have an answer for you, Lauren.

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Weston Parker's avatar

The seasons do relentlessly remind us, again and again, that time is fleeting. thanks Paul

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Wes

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Susi 💛's avatar

Wow, this left me with goosebumps all over my body🥹 thank you for your creation ✨

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you for reading and commenting, Susi 😊

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Susi 💛's avatar

you are so welcome ☺️

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Gary Spangler's avatar

From my viewpoint, sometimes it is better to not know why. Your poem floated into my ear, Paul. Not unlike Flora Purim’s “Light As A Feather.”

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thanks for listening, Gary!

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Patris's avatar

So many whispered secrets in Nature, I can’t help think She’s delighted when we spot them.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

I know it’s September but the memory the poem recalls was something that happened in August

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Patris's avatar

they stay with us, waiting for a scent or sound, don’t they dear Paul

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Gloria Horton-Young's avatar

Lovely!

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Gloria!

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Stanley Wotring's avatar

Timing tells a lot.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thanks to @ARTSTACK for sharing this!

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