Sappho the Muse

I discovered Sappho this week. And she, combined with teaching haikus to my 7th graders, may have changed my life.

I've never really been a huge fan of poetry, especially not the kind with awkward line breaks, overkill descriptions, and no narrative. Epic poetry I love. Smooth flowing poetry (like Boland's and Nye's) I can appreciate. But that's about as far as it goes.

This past week, however, I have been awed by the power of apples turning red, silver moons setting, and 5-syllable lines. The power of simple words, line breaks, and concrete images, to evoke emotion and meaning.

Although they are

Only breath, words
Which I command
are immortal.

-translated by Mary Bernard

Like a sweet apple
turning red
high
on the tip
of the topmost branch.
Forgotten by pickers.

Not forgotten--
they couldn't reach it.

-translated by Julia Dubnoff