Sappho: On What is Best

Some celebrate the beauty
of knights, or infantry,
or billowing flotillas
at battle on the sea.
Warfare has its glory,
but I place far above
these military splendors
the one thing that you love.

For proof of this contention
examine history:
we all remember Helen,
who left her family,
her child, and royal husband,
to take a stranger's hand:
her beauty had no equal,
but bowed to love's command.

As love then is the power
that none can disobey,
so too my thoughts must follow
my darling far away:
the sparkle of her laughter
would give me greater joy
than all the bronze-clad heroes


This poem (translation, such as it is) comes down to us Sappho. It came into my mailbox via PoemHunter.com (Poem Copyright Raider.com?), and typical of selections to be found in that ill-lustrious site, there is no acknowlegement of the translator nor the publication it was found in. At least there are no obvious typos or omissions, but as to the latter it's hard to be sure.  I like the way the poem combines rational argumentation, imagery, and sensuality. Reminds me of what comes down to us from Cavafy. My friend Raphael responded this way, and I second him: "Beautiful poem of longing. I like the way she contrasts the bravado of armed men, the image of heroic war with the sparkling laughter of her absent lover as she uses Helen of Troy as an example of the power of love...talk about opposing camps. Can we ever be happy?"

A maquette of the next Sky of Ink chapbook -- that is, sans cover graphics, which are yet to be worked on. Raphael and I edited the poems over the last two or three of years of get-togethers, which took place more or less monthly. When he came up to visit at the cottage last month we selected the best; then, in a series of snap decisions I arranged them -- spreading them out on the living room rug -- in the order they've pretty much stayed. The latter process took all of about 5 minutes. It was fun for me and breathtaking for him. Some of these poems were drafted as many as 30 years ago: he told me it was like seeing his life flashing before his eyes. Raphael nevertheless had the presence of mind to film me doing it. It would be interesting to post that video here, eventually. We're both very pleased with the poetry. I would include one here, but I believe he wants to send some to a few better reviews before they're published in this form. I think as they stand they are well worthy of that level of publication -- say in Poetry or Descant. The chap, though, will probably come out sometime this fall.










Raphael Bendahan

"The Tribe"

"The Tribe" by Raphael Bendahan

A pleasant surprise from Raphael Bendahan, my poet-friend and co-editor at Sky of Ink Press. He just won the the second Grand Prize in the Focal Press' monthly photography contest, for the photo above. (The announcement will be on their website shortly.) I love the mood of pensive resignation in this shot. The men poised against that granite look almost sculptural. As perfectly composed as a painting by Goya or Delacroix, "monumental" is another word that comes to mind. (Well, it is taken at the base of a sort of monument.) The award: a fancy new Nikon D60 digital SLR camera, a value of about a thousand dollars. Nice work, Raphael! He took this shot nearly three decades ago in I think it's LA. (or is it NYC?) -- and submitted it without expectations. Indeed, he finds this magazine rather straight for his tastes. (Just look at the other selections.) Also a maker of short films and sometime photographer, Raphael was telling me he feels especially blessed by this award because it so happens he was in the market for a new camera at this time. It's been a good year for him: his short film, A Spanish Tale, was short-listed in RCI's Migrations competition, and shown at the Montreal World Film Festival this year.