the mortal muse.

anne carson has executed a gorgeous translation of Sappho’s fragments, “If Not, Winter.” They date back to 630 B.C. and today, I find them impossibly beautiful and moving. Of nine books of songs Sappho has said to have written, none of the music is extant, and only one poem exists in its entirety. The rest are fragments. Here are a couple. Brackets indicate missing or illegible sections.

4.

you burn me

76.

]
]might accomplish
]I want
]to hold
]said
]

45.

as long as you want

42.

their heart grew cold
they let their wings down

26.

]frequently
]for those
I treat well are the ones who most of all
]harm me
]crazy
]
]
]
]you, I want
]to suffer
]in myself i am
aware of this
]
]
]

Enjoy the weekend!