21 April 2006

A Rilke Post: Archaic Torso of Apollo

Miletus Torso (Apollo), Louvre, c. 480-470 BCE, Marble, H 132 cm

Archaic Torso of Apollo
Rainer Maria Rilke, New Poems, the Other Part [1908]

We cannot know his unheard of head,
in which his eyes like apples ripened. But
his torso glows still like a candelabrum,
in which his gaze, though turned low,

holds firm and gleams. Otherwise the bow
of the breast could not blind you, and in the gentle turn
of the loins a smile couldn't go
to that center, there where procreation endured.

Otherwise this stone would stand defaced and stumped
under the shoulder's translucent downturn
and not shimmer so like a predator's fur;

and not break out from all its edges
like a star: because there is no place
that does not see you. You must change your life.

Translation by L. Steve Schmersal, 4 July 2003



Archaïscher Torso Apollos
Rainer Maria Rilke, Der neuen Gedichte anderer Teil [1908]

Wir kannten nicht sein unerhörtes Haupt,
darin die Augenäpfel reiften. Aber
sein Torso glüht noch wie ein Kandelaber,
in dem sein Schauen, nur zurückgeschraubt,

sich hält und glänzt. Sonst könnte nicht der Bug
der Brust dich blenden, und im leisen Drehen
der Lenden könnte nicht ein Lächeln gehen
zu jener Mitte, die die Zeugung trug.

Sonst stünde dieser Stein entstellt und kurz
unter der Schultern durchsichtigem Sturz
und flimmerte nicht so wie Raubtierfelle;

und bräche nicht aus allen seinen Rändern
aus wie ein Stern: denn da ist keine Stelle,
die dich nicht sieht. Du mußt dein Leben ändern.

If you would like to see an interpretation of this justly-difficult and famous poem, go here.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I read German fairly well and am often annoyed at the over the top translations of Rilke's Torso poem. I just wanted to say that your translation is the BEST I've ever read. It is concise, yet passionate... it is Rilke's voice

CivilizeMe said...

And if we wanted to share your translation, to whom should we attribute it? Email me: zakbos@bu.edu.

Ghassan Lafi said...

Hi,
It's a very good translation. I've tried to come up with a story from the lines of Rilke's poem. Hope You may have a look at that on my blog.

Best,

Bill said...

Beautiful translation! I also would like to use this translation in my poetry group. To whom should I attribute it? Please email: krispykey@yahoo.com
My blog is: keywestgumboitalypoems.blogspot.com
Thank you, Bill

R. Evenson said...

I too would like to use this translation in print, for a project on Miletos. email: ranger_evenson@yahoo.com
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

your translation is so impressive!! Thank you! You catch the aroma and the flow of the original