Funerailles. (Translation And Original) . Poem by Michael Walker
Funerailles. (Translation And Original) .
Ils ont enleve la robe de lin du corps de la terre
Decouvrant ces membres-la et ces cuisses foux et timides
Pas de l'amour, mais afin de
La voir comme une chose. L'arbre tordu
A la face de la falaise c'est une vieille femme pleurant
Aux funerailles de sa fille. Neanmoins
De jour et nuit les vagues bougent
Sur les dunes brisees, en caressant et faconnant de nouveau
Ce qui survivra a l'asphalte, aux villes.
1969
-' Tangi'. James K. Baxter(1926-1972) . 'New Selected Poems. James K. Baxter', pp.247,248. Edited by Paul Millar.
Tangi.
They have taken the piupiu from the body of the land
Baring those wild limbs and thighs
Not in love, but in order
To see her as a thing. The crooked tree
On the cliff face is an old woman mourning
At the tangi of her daughter. Nevertheless
Day and night the waves move
On the broken dunes, caressing and reshaping
What will outlast the asphalt and the towns.
1969
- James K. Baxter.
'Tangi'-lit. 'to weep'. The Maori funeral rites, which may last several days, quite different from a European funeral. Piupiu-flax skirt.
Yes the crooked tree with bark is a visual image for the old woman at the tangi-stooped with age. You make a good comment.
They took off the linen dress from the body of the earth discovering limbs. In order to see a thing the twisted tree is motivated. At the funeral of his daughter emotion flew. A brilliant poem is excellently penned and translated 10
Thanks for your assessment my friend. Grief is a very strong emotion, I found. The twisted tree on the cliff face is an image for the old woman at the tangi-visually similar. I like this poem too.
Thank you my friend. The crooked tree on the cliff face is a good image for the old woman at the tangi.I did not put that originally. You are right-there is considerable emotion (grief) at a tangi. Especially an old woman grieving for her daughter.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/19/2024 9:53:18 PM # 1.0.0.1119
This is heart rending on both levels of interpretation. It also provides a peep into tangi i.e. Maori funeral rights. Thanks for sharing.
You make a very good assessment of 'Tangi'. Thanks.I particularly like the last line, 'What will outlast the asphalt and the towns'.
Yes the tangi is a traditional funeral rite with Maori. Usually they are held at a whare (meeting house) and may last several days. It shows great respect for the deceased. You might like to compare it with funerals in India. I do know something about these. Thanks.