A poem by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), translated by Ana Elsner
	:: R i l k e - is considered to be one of the greatest 20th century German-language poets. He was strongly influenced by the philosophers Schopenhauer and Nietzsche. His unique literary style, his use of symbolism and his veiled portrayal of moods and states-of-mind position Rainer Maria Rilke as a transitional figure between the traditional and the modernist poets. ::

Buddha in der Glorie

MITTE aller Mitten, Kern der Kerne, Mandel, die sich einschließt und versüßt, - dieses Alles bis an alle Sterne ist dein Fruchtfleisch: Sei gegrüßt. Sieh, du fühlst, wie nichts mehr an dir hängt; im Unendlichen ist deine Schale, und dort steht der starke Saft und drängt. Und von außen hilft ihm ein Gestrahle, denn ganz oben werden deine Sonnen voll und glühend umgedreht. Doch in dir ist schon begonnen, was die Sonnen übersteht. Aus: Der Neuen Gedichte Anderer Teil

Buddha in Glory

CENTER of all centers, nucleus of nuclei, almond, that cocoons itself and sweetens, - all this, up to all the stars, is your fruited flesh: Be greeted. See, you feel, how no more clings to you; in infinity resides your vessel, and there stands the potent nectar and is burgeoning. And from the outside is promoted by a radiance, for, in the highest, are your suns fully and ardently turned about. Certain in you is well begun, that which surpasses (other) suns. From: The New Poems' Other Part Translation © Ana Elsner ::

. TWO POEMS by Friedrich Hölderlin (1770-1843) Transcribed from the original German text by Ana Elsner H ö l d e r l i n - was a famous German lyric poet who is widely recognized from his own time up until the present. His multi-facetted work was influenced by ancient Greek culture as well as by the French Revolution of 1789. It spans the Classical and Romantic schools in German literature. Hoelderlin is perhaps best known for "Andenken" ("Remembrance"), one of his greatest poems. Here are two other samples of his poetic voice.

D i e H e i m a t h .................................... H o m e :

Froh kehrt der Schiffer heim an den stillen Strom

Von fernen Inseln, wo er geerndtet hat;

Wohl möcht' auch ich zur Heimath wieder;

Aber was hab' ich, wie Laid, geerndtet?

Ihr holden Ufer, die ihr mich auferzogt,

Stillt ihr der Liebe Laiden? ach! gebt ihr mir,

Ihr Wälder meiner Kindheit, wann ich

Komme, die Ruhe noch Einmal wieder?

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With Gladness the Boatman turns homeward to the River's Calm

From Distant Isles, his Harvest done.

Would that I, too, were homeward bound,

Yet what have I but Sorrow reaped ?

You blessed Banks, who gave me Succor,

Will you assuage Love's Sorrow ? Oh, on my Return to you,

You Woods of my spent Youth, will you restore to me

Serenity once more ? . Translation © Ana Elsner

Ü b e r z e u g u n g : : : C O N V I C T I O N

Als wie der Tag die Menschen hell umscheinet

Und mit dem Lichte, das den Höhn entspringet,

Die dämmernden Erscheinungen vereinet,

Ist Wissen, welches tief der Geistigkeit gelinget.

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Just as the Day bathes Man in Brightness

And with the Light, which springs from High above,

makes whole the dawning Apparitions,

is Knowledge, which is accomplished deep within the Thinking Mind . . Translation © Ana Elsner

A poem by Ana Elsner

:: E l s n e r - is a contemporary bi-lingual author and poet. Her poems have appeared in various literary journals and anthologies in the U.S. and abroad. Her most recent book "Ciphers Of Uncommon Origin - Poems By Ana Elsner, Volume I" was published by InstaPLANET Press in 2007. In addition to writing her own poems and essays, she is engaged in translating works by German-language poets into English. Ana Elsner's translations are characteristically far more precise than many others you may find. ::

-:- -:- -:- -:- -:- DIE RETTUNG -:- -:- -:- -:- -:-
	fast schon sanft eingeschläfert von den wiegenden Wogen der Tiefe und doch wieder hervorgebracht, im Regenbogen geborgen, ans Licht des Lebens wieder zu atmen dessen Kostbarkeit . © Ana Elsner

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	almost already tenderly put to sleep by the cradling currents of the deep and yet again brought forth, in the rainbow saved, to the light of life again to breath its preciousness . Translation © Ana Elsner

-:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- Read a sample of Elsner's English-language poems: "Dawn" -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:-

Polyglot Poet Ana Elsner on stage at City Hall
	:: This is a documentary film clip of the poet Ana Elsner performing live at San Francisco City Hall in April of 2008. Elsner, who is well known for her cutting edge poetry and global perspective, exercises her First Amendment Right to Freedom of Speech and recites her poem 'My Country 'T Is For Thee' from her manuscript 'Resurrected Omissions - Poems and Translations by Ana Elsner'. ::

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