August – Theories (Songs 1921-1924)
August.
Counterpoints
of peach and sugar,
and the sun sitting in the afternoon,
like a bone in a piece of fruit.
At summer’s end, the sweet strong cob
guards intact her bright and honeyed laugh.
August.
The children eat
burnt bread and rich moonlight.
Author: Federico García Lorca
Translator: Manny Grimaldi
11 thoughts on "August – Theories (Songs 1921-1924)"
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The imagery is incredible — “peach and sugar,” “like a bone in a piece of fruit, “burnt bread and rich moonlight”. I’d love to compare to another translation. Something tells me some of the words you have chosen “sing” in a fresh new way. I love Manny the Translator!
Very cool poem. I’ve never read anything like Lorca’s poetry. Thanks for the introduction.
Hi Lubrina, there’s more.
How cool that you are translating! I’m sure that’s very challenging. I really like the first stanza especially — “like a bone in a piece of fruit.”
I, too, am struck by “the sun sitting in the afternoon, / like a bone in a piece of fruit”
Linda, Chelsie, and Gaby thank you for your sweetness! You’d be surprised at the translations out there – some people stray so far from the plain meaning of what Lorca wanted to achieve a meta-poetical meaning. Only on occasion do I find it necessary to play with the way something “hits” the reader, such as a star “sitting” in the afternoon. Or should it be “afternoon(s)?” And “bone(s) in fruit?” This particular poem looks simple, but gave me headaches for three days. The middle stanza especially! Ask Linda!
lorca<3!!
The Andalusian strikes
and we receive
” her…. honeyed laugh”
&
” children…eat moonlight”
Like a fine cigar
you give us a translation
of something we can taste
in this foreign land.
Beuno.
here’s the thing Coleman friend, about 2 hours after it went up a little thought fish for a new verse one came and asked for treats. render, render.
Lovely
Very enjoyable!