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Open Poetry #3
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Master
Senior Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 1867
Boston, MA

0 posted 1999-10-25 01:42 AM


*This is my translation of a Russian poet, V. Vysotsky

Animal herds are swarming through copses
Not looking for water nor for a snack
They are searching for hunters and horses
In their happy and cheerful flock

Beasts have forgotten the elderly curse
Deciding to face whatever still haunts them
Like shirts on their chests, they rip open their furs
They fall to the ground—but nobody wants them

There are many in thickets, lurking and crawling
Annoying like crickets, weeping and bawling
Yowling and raving, hissing and flirting
Attention craving and self-supporting

Fishes are swimming against raging waves
You can practically walk on them towards the ford
Wanting for once, to be caught, each fish raves
To fall on the plate... and then down the throat

The fish is cold-blooded, it’s not like the meat
It longs to get trapped in the fishermen’s net
It dreams of a spot on the stove, near the heat
With the broth by its gills, there’s nothing to dread

There are many in swamps, gracefully swimming
Covered with lumps, glowing and gleaming
Peacefully sleeping and hibernating
Dinner retrieving and dinner awaiting

Even the birds crave for shrapnel in flight
Slowly becoming more agile and neat
So, apples could fit loosely inside—
The thoughtful geese had nothing to eat

Strength in birds is displayed in their hunting
Attacking the pellets from a rapid dismount
Each offers its life with a wailing grunting
And not even scraped, each will steer for the ground

There are many on branches, quietly squealing
Sitting in bunches, strange and appealing
Yowling and raving, singing and flirting
Attention craving and self-supporting

Fur-bearing beasts are tired of sweating
They desperately try to get shot and get caught
Not sharing their warmth is really degrading
And they often dream of shedding their coat

Just think for a minute, it’s kind of funny--
Walking into our banks by themselves
Thousands dollars in effortless money
As fabulous fur stocks on the shelves

There are many in thickets, lurking and crawling
Annoying like crickets, weeping and bawling
Yowling and raving, hissing and flirting
Attention craving and self-supporting
Cold-blooded, caring or simply barbarian
Pasture expending or vegetarian
Slowly decaying and microbe consuming
And self-displaying, glowing and blooming
Happily gleaming, harking and talking
Flying and swimming, running and walking
Small and gigantic, strange and appealing
Raging and frantic and quietly squealing
Corrupted and evil, aggressive and wild
Loving and civil, harmless and mild
Beautiful, ravishing, radiance casting
Gradually vanishing, or century lasting
Peacefully sleeping and hibernating
Dinner retrieving and dinner awaiting

Fur is undamaged, fish -- fresher than ever
Meat with no bullets -- easy chewable food
Beautifully done, outstandingly clever
Peacefully, quietly – and with no need to shoot!

Wearing white aprons, commanded to serve
With posters “Don’t harm!” and lit up with zeal
The huntsmen protected the nature reserve
With one commandment “Thou shall not kill!”

There are many in thickets, quietly creeping
Annoying like crickets, singing and weeping
With passion ignited, intensively burning
Thrilled and excited, and pleasure yearning
Crawling and lurking, and face concealing
Cheerless and murky, and space depleting
Loudly grunting, running and standing
With rifles hunting, with nature blending
Roaring and yelling and peace disturbing
Harshly compelling, clustering, swarming
In bushes hiding and heavily breathing
Mosquito fighting, jumping and heaving
Peacefully sleeping and hibernating
Dinner retrieving and dinner awaiting



[This message has been edited by Master (edited 10-27-1999).]

© Copyright 1999 Andrey Kneller - All Rights Reserved
Watcher666
Senior Member
since 1999-10-13
Posts 1606

1 posted 1999-10-25 01:59 AM


WOW! Excellent!

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Illusion...what we see and what we do...it's all up to you.

Pepper
Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079
Southern Florida
2 posted 1999-10-25 04:22 PM


A very profound and thought provoking piece.
I really enjoyed the read Master!

------------------
A soul that writes from the heart and shares it, truly gives a gift extrordinaire!

Marilyn
Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621
Ontario, Canada
3 posted 1999-10-25 04:29 PM


I am unfamiliar with V.Vysotsky. Would you explain the form and style for me. I found the poem beautiful and different.
caroline
Senior Member
since 1999-08-16
Posts 1218
http://members.xoom.com/belladona123/index.htm
4 posted 1999-10-25 07:36 PM


Master...this is exquisite. You've done really well with this piece. I consider it one of your very best! Applause to you

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"Tread softly, for I have spread my dreams under your feet"~~William Butler Yeats


Master
Senior Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 1867
Boston, MA
5 posted 1999-10-25 08:08 PM


Thanks everybody! If you have a chance read it over again, I've added more to it. Marylin, Vysotsky is considered by many russians an equal to Shakespeare. He's not that well known around the world. But in Russia people adore him, I'm personally a big fan. This poem has no definite style, I just looked at the original and tried to capture what he had. The whole beauty of the poem is when you read it fast aloud, it sounds wonderful! Thanks again!

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I fell in love and kept on falling

Master
Senior Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 1867
Boston, MA
6 posted 1999-10-26 07:36 PM


any suggestions on how to make it flow a bit better? I think the 8th stanza doesn't sound too good, but I'm not sure how to change it for better.
Master
Senior Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 1867
Boston, MA
7 posted 1999-10-27 12:13 PM


Nevermind...
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
8 posted 1999-10-27 08:55 AM


Master, you do have a way with words, and again the tongue twisting style that rolls off your tongue so smoothly it feels like silk in your moth. Oh, it does work well here. Applauds!!
Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
9 posted 1999-10-27 09:11 AM


Very well done Master....and, as I'm sure you're well aware, don't expect any "intelligent advice" from a Toerag on how to make this better!!! LOL
Master
Senior Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 1867
Boston, MA
10 posted 1999-10-27 07:56 PM


Thanks Hoot and Toe! Glad you liked it.
Isis
Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296
Sunny Queensland
11 posted 1999-10-27 08:51 PM


WOW! Very inspiring and beautiful for me. Such imagery. (SIGH)

------------------
How long after you are gone will ripples remain as evidence that you were cast into the pool?
~Isis~
(Daughter of Mystery)



Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

12 posted 1999-10-27 10:54 PM


Seems like this was sure alot of work! Very good read!

------------------
Denise

Master
Senior Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 1867
Boston, MA
13 posted 1999-10-28 05:37 PM


Thank you both!
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