Category Archives: Poetry

A Late Poem of Sappho Lamenting the Realities of Old Age Translated by Steven J. Willett The red-figure vase c. 470~460BC shows Dawn pursuing Tithonus. Note 1: This poem has a complex history, and I recommend reading the Wikipedia account … Continue reading →

Pindar Pythian 11 for Thrasydaios of Thebes, Winner of Boys’ Stadion Translated by Steven J. Willett This superb vase shows Aegisthus killing Agamemnon with Clytemnestra driving him from behind and Orestes gesturing against the murder. Note 1: The central drama … Continue reading →

Hölderlin’s Ode to The Gods (Die Götter) Translated by Steven J. Willett Here is a picture of Hōlderlin’s Tower in Tübingen Note: This poem uses the accentual version of the alcaic strophe. For those who might want to learn the … Continue reading →

Sappho 2 Ostracon Flor. (prim. ed. M. Norsa, Ann. R . Scuola di Pisa vi, 1937, 8 ss) Translated by Steven J. Willett Note: This lyric was scratched on a potsherd from the 3rd. century BC. It may not have … Continue reading →

Pindar Isthmian 8 for Kleandros of Aigina, winner pancratium Translated by Steven J. Willett These two black-figure vase paintings of pancratium come from the late 7th-century BC. The first shows the end of a boxing match as one fighter raises … Continue reading →

Sappho 1 D. H. Comp. 23 (vi 114ss. Usener-Radermacher) (+P. Oxy.) Translated by Steven J. Willett This is a red-figure kalathos vase of Sappho holding a lyre and plectrum as she listens to Alcaeus sing c. 470BC. We have no … Continue reading →

Nishiwaki Junzaburō Ambarvalia Translated by Steven J. Willett Nishiwaki Junzaburō (20 January 1894 – 5 June 1982) Note: Nishiwaki was the first modernist Japanese poet. Between 1960 and 1967 he received 7 nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature including … Continue reading →

A Grave of Grasses: An Original Poem based on Matsuo Bashō (松尾 芭蕉) The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Steven J. Willett A block print of Bashō from the 18th century by Hokusai. Note: On May 16, 1689, Bashō … Continue reading →

Giacomo Leopardi L’infinito Translated by Steven J. Willett This is the original manuscript of L’infinito written in 1818 when the poet was 22. Note: While the poem can be given a highly negative interpretation, I think this is a distorted … Continue reading →