A poem with many names

[thejollyape]

Not sure if it really is my favourite poem, but it's probably the one that's influenced me the most. A long time ago we went through the history of literature in class. As a young impressionable youth I was rather intrigued by this poem. I hadn't really heard or read any poetry before our teacher made us read this one. It made me fall in love with the concept of a poem, and it introduced me to ambiguity, which has become the love of my life. There is something so lovely about something that can be formed and transformed by each and every one of us, constantly changing its meaning to fit our purposes.

Anyhow, without further ado. I present a version of one of Sappho's poem, translated by Ambrose Philips.     

ODE TO A LOVED ONE

        by: Sappho

            LEST as the immortal gods is he,
            The youth who fondly sits by thee,
            And hears and sees thee, all the while,
            Softly speaks and sweetly smile.
           
            'Twas this deprived my soul of rest,
            And raised such tumults in my breast;
            For, while I gazed, in transport tossed,
            My breath was gone, my voice was lost;
           
            My bosom glowed; the subtle flame
            Ran quick through all my vital frame;
            O'er my dim eyes a darkness hung;
            My ears with hollow murmurs rung;
           
            In dewy damps my limbs were chilled;
            My blood with gentle horrors thrilled:
            My feeble pulse forgot to play;
            I fainted, sunk, and died away.