Venice masks

Wednesday, 13 December 2017

The Children's Church - Karl Gerock

The bells of the churches are ringing, —
Papa and mamma have both gone —
And three little children sit singing
Together this still Sunday morn.

Tuesday, 12 December 2017

Madhushala (The Tavern) - Harivansh Rai Bachchan

Seeking wine, the drinker leaves home for the tavern.
Perplexed, he asks, "Which path will take me there?"
People show him different ways, but this is what I have to say,
"Pick a path and keep walking. You will find the tavern."

Monday, 11 December 2017

Rubai - Sultan Murad II

Cup-bearer, bring, bring here again my
      yestereven's wine;

Friday, 8 December 2017

Life's Philosophy - Theodore de Banville

Youth, untouched by melancholy,
Fair as the sun of Italy, —
Cling to thy delicious folly !

Thursday, 7 December 2017

Departing - Joe Friggieri

When I'm about to leave forever
I want it to be at night
with crickets singing in the corn

Wednesday, 6 December 2017

To a Friend on the Eve of May 1858 - Guido Gezelle

Once I see the flowery wreaths of May,
the month of love for Mary and her Child,
the month of love for thee, my pious friend,
the month of love of poetry, more sweet
Than love to both our blended loving hearts!

Tuesday, 5 December 2017

Beauty and the Illiterate - Odysseus Elytis

Often, in the Repose of Evening her soul took a lightness from
                  the mountains across, although the day was harsh and
                  tomorrow foreign.

Sunday, 3 December 2017

The Image of God - Francisco de Aldana

O Lord! who seest from yon starry height,
Centred in one the future and the past,
Fashioned in thine own image, see how fast
The world obscures in me what once was bright!

Saturday, 2 December 2017

Oil Ailment - Rira Abbasi

And now I know what ails the world: Power
Humility dies on its very own emaciated neck
Even cockroaches rise
Against the sanctity of your body
The world is sated with virus.

Friday, 1 December 2017

Up North - Mary Hannay Foott

Into Thy hands let me fall, O Lord,—
Not into the hands of men,—
And she thinned the ranks of the savage horde
Till they shrank to the mangrove fen.