Written by my father
Translated by me
Translated by me
Somewhere at night a string sings out
All's dark, silent, filled with doubt
I'm alone, and you?
Out there, in the cold, a string sings out
Forgive me ma, that under your wing
A poet grew, only to sing
Forgive me ma, I knew no way but run
I was a defiant son!
In your life I sang you no songs, but now I miss—
Forgive me ma, that I wiped off your kiss
Which you gave me, thinking I were asleep...
Now, after you're gone, I confess and I weep
I loved no one like you!
After you were gone, I knew
I had travelled to a place so alien, so cold
How bitter it had felt, to you I never told.
How you waited to receive a word from me, a letter,
How I missed you! Only now I know better
No longer am I ashamed to say, to try:
Forgive me ma, now at last I am allowed to cry.
This is a watercolor painting--the largest I have painted--of my father. Measuring 40" x 30", this is called 'Silence of the Bard. Why a Bard? Because even though my father never played a musical instrument he composed beautiful images using the music of words. This is why the impression of the strings extends out into the landscape, which becomes a melodically conceived universe.
And, why Silence? because he never shared his last body of work with anyone. It is not been read by others, until now, until I published this book in his tribute: Home.
"Absolutely Stunning!" "scenes of such exquisite depth and beauty"
This is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kristine!
DeleteBreathtakingly powerful and beautiful -- both the portrait and the poem. I'm enjoying your father's poetry in "Home" very much, and I've never been a big fan of poetry. But your father's words are both eloquent and plain-spoken in the most honest and artful way that even someone like me -- uneducated in the form -- can relate to and appreciate.
ReplyDeleteAw... Thank you so much Jayne! Indeed, his poetry is eloquent without being 'flowery', which is why I had to translate it so it may reach you... I am so glad you took a chance and got the book, despite the fact this is not your usual genre.
DeleteWonderfully written!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, macabrevisions!
DeleteI love how you add those touches of symbolism in words and in painting.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sheila!
DeleteIt is so deep and emotional poem; very personal, too. This is why is so touching. I feel that by reading theese words we become more sensitive...
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Grace, indeed at reading his poem we are bless with more grace in our hearts.
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