I’ve read bits of Sappho before and was never impressed enough to pursue reading more. I thought someday I would but someday was in the vague and indeterminate future. Maybe it was the translation. Or the right book at the right time. Or that I didn’t think about it much, just picked it up on a whim and read it. Whatever the reason, I was awed by If Not, Winter translated by Anne Carson.
Carson seemed to just step out of the way and let Sappho and the poem fragments speak for themselves. She doesn’t try to dress them up as anything other than what they are whether it is one word or a dozen on the page. I found the ones I liked most often were among the shorter fragments. I mean, is this not gorgeous?
I would not think to touch the sky with two arms
(52)
I never imagined that the fragments could be so evocative. This one seems so sad to me:
I used to weave crowns
(125)
I suppose that could be part of something joyous, perhaps the crown weaver no longer weaves because she wears the crowns now. I think that is part of why Sappho is so beloved by so many. Because her poems are fragments and we have no complete context for many of them, the reader is required to fill in the gaps, to bring to the poem a piece of herself. A complete poem will tell you how to feel about it, it intentionally creates and provokes a mood or emotion. But when we are faced with this:
I long and seek after
(36)
What are we to make of it? What is being longed for and sought? It doesn’t matter, the longing and desire that oozes from the words is enough. Not having anything more makes the poem more intimate, as if Sappho knew exactly what I long for.
Reading this book filled me with pleasure and happiness. There is a certain feeling I get when I read a beautiful poem or line of prose, it is a feeling both contained and expansive. I am myself but more than myself. The air is heavy and solid but breathing is easy and I am light and floating. Does anyone else get a feeling like that? I felt it every time I sat down to read Sappho. I will definitely be reading these poems again. It is a good book to have around and just dip into now and then.
Beautiful words. I haven’t read any Sappho but I have wanted to for a long time. I will be sure to look for Anne Carson’s translation. I have often felt the way you describe when reading an amazing line or passage of poetry or prose. For me it is like a thunking feeling ( I know not very romantic
) like something has found the right slot, like a key turning in a lock and then click and something opens inside. I get a whooshing, freeing feeling. I love those moments. I have experienced them with so many writers it is hard to think of just one or two … oh, a lot of Mark Doty’s poetry for sure and Elizabeth Hay’s novel A Student of Weather.
I’ve come across bits of Sappho scattered in random texts and have always been intrigued, meaning to pick up a full volume devoted to her. Thanks so much for bringing my attention to this one – it sounds perfect!
Nicely said Stefanie. I can relate to what you say exactly – but can’t think of better words to say it. There’s writing that gives you a lift for days, that wafts gently through your being but when you try to identify exactly what it is you can’t. You know where it’s come from – ie which book – but you can’t always easily say what it is specifically that’s done it.
I feel that. Exquisite creativity has the effect of making life seem exciting and rich and full of possibility. Oddly enough I remember watching the first Shrek and coming out feeling fired up – Wallace and Gromit have the same effect. And Sappho too, in a different way (more of an Adrienne-Rich-sort-of-way). Some voices and visions are just uplifting.
Beautifully said, Stefanie. Not just Sappho – you.
I get a somewhat similar feeling while reading a really fine and special book, but not like I am “light and floating.” It is rather one of elevated pleasure, of extreme comfort and calmness. It is a feeling quite separate from any normal feeling of pleasure. I don’t want it to get away and I try to stay in it, with it, for as long as possible. It is somewhat dreamlike, as in a dream of such pleasure that you dread waking up and can never recapture once you get back to sleep. Rather than more myself, it is that I am finally myself, exactly where I want to be and nowhere else. The feeling takes command of my life. I cannot put the book down and when I might have to, it is imperative to get back to it as soon as possible. Maybe bliss is the best way to describe it. It isn’t mystical rather it is very real. We have so few words for such feelings and no way to compare it with comparable feelings that other people might have.
Oh, thank you so much for sharing these. I am feeling extremely raw right now (I am realizing) and there is nothing like poetry to soothe the soul.
Lovely post, Stefanie! As I’ve already mentioned, I completely share your enthusiasm for the amazing beauty of these fragments – and also your experience of never having particularly connected with Sappho before discovering the Carson translation. Such a gorgeous book.
I haven’t tried to pin down exactly what my physical reactions are to one of “those” books, but it’s an interesting question. I definitely relate to arriving at a different physical state because of them.
I must look for this book. I like that these are fragments and they really are totally open to the reader’s own interpretation! So much less scary than other poetry I’ve tried. I know poetry shouldn’t scare me, but there you go.
The question is, why did later poets even bother to write complete poems? Or, once they did write complete poems, why didn’t they erase parts of them?
LOL Amateur Reader. Great question. After reading this post, I started thinking about favourite lines of poems and thinking that’s perhaps all they needed!
Beautiful. They dazzle and make one pause. Best, Kevin
Maureen, Thanks! Do look for Carson’s translation when you are ready to read Sappho. I got a copy from the library but now I’m going to need to buy one for myself. I like your description of how good writing makes you feel. I’ve not read Elizabeth Hay but now I am going to have to look her up and give her a try!
Claire, oh yes, this is a beautiful book. I hope you find a copy and enjoy it as much as I did when you are ready to read it.
whisperinggums, thanks! Ah, that lift for days as you say is such a good feeling, it colors everything, doesn’t it? If only we could feel that way all the time.
Litlove, I know that Adrienne-Rich-sort-of-way! Yes, it fits Sappho exactly. And Il ike how you take the feeling into other areas too because I’ve felt that way after movies as well. Exquisite creativity, I like that
Grad, you are so sweet! Thank you.
Richard, bliss, yes, but describing what bliss feels like is a challenge. We don’t have the words for it as I think we are all describing the same feeling, or kind of feeling but none of us can quite pin it down. In some ways I wish we could but in other ways I am glad we can’t.
Daphne, soothing poetry and hugs to you. Be kind to yourself and take care.
Emily, thank you. As I was writing it I kept thinking of your post on the book and how much you loved it too. I read it because of your suggestion, so thanks!
Danielle, I know how you shy away from poetry and you are right, these might be a good way to ease yourself into it because you really can’t be wrong about them. I think you’d be a fine poetry reader if you give yourself a chance
Amateur Reader, ha! Excellent question! There are some poets who I’d like a lot better if they erased portions of their poems
Kevin, yes, you have it exactly right!
I get a feeling kind of like that, and it’s wonderful. It never really occurred to me to read Sappho, but you are making convincing arguments! I’m curious to see how I would feel about the fragments. I like your arguments about how they encourage the reader to fill in the gaps.
That’s a really cool observation Stef, that perhaps people love the poems because they are incomplete. We all like to solve puzzles and fill our lives with completeness, but sometimes missing pieces and ruin reveals adifferent sort of beauty. Ahhhh this post made me happy.
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