Published in Writers On The Run·4 days agoTall and Intrepidinteractive poetry — can you name this city? — by Joe Váradi Tall and Intrepid, your name — Literally — do our names shape us? do we aspire to our labels? insufferable as they are Your former moniker a tad more Pedestrian — “Wag the Dog”, the masses mocked yet a metropolis emerged from humid dust and blackened beaches …Poetry1 min read
Published in Scrittura·Jun 23Ballad of the Man-ChildA verse translation — “All men are but little children” — Judit Ágnes Kiss As a woman, you may love a man’s machismo, chivalry, good looks, he’ll be your child yet, in hindsight’s lens, crawl into your lap, sink the hooks of this hoisted-upon motherhood, whimper like a helpless kitten, suck milk right from your heart, he would — all…Poetry2 min read
Published in Vagabond Voices·Jun 5Best-Laid Plans (Füstbement terv)a verse translation — A poem by Sándor Petőfi, translated by Joe Váradi. Petőfi is Hungary’s national poet, a revolutionary of poor upbringing who died in battle in 1849, at the age of 26 in the ill-fated War of Independence against the Austrian Monarchy. …Translation2 min read
Published in The Junction·May 15Lóci falls asleepa verse translation of a poem by Lőrinc Szabó — Lőrinc Szabó often invoked his children in his poems. Young Lőrinc went by the nickname Lóci, pronounced “low-tsee”. The original poem below has a 8–8–9–6 syllabic rhyming structure in each verse, which I preserved. Lóci falls asleep We thought he was fast asleep, when suddenly, loud and quite awake, rose the voice, from the room…Translation2 min read
Published in No Crime in Rhymin’·May 14Two Girls, Ankles to Kneesa 1930s verse translation — “The streets and all mean nothing to me now…” a poem by Lõrinc Szabó, translated by Joe Váradi Two Girls, Ankles to Knees Four ravishing legs slipped into a car. Two girls. My mind begs to know who they are! The streets and all mean nothing to me now, except to follow, to catch up somehow, to glimpse those visions, those devastating four apparitions, temptresses of wonders…Poetry3 min read
Published in No Crime in Rhymin’·Apr 30My Grandmothera verse translation — a poem by Lőrinc Szabó, translation by Joe Váradi My Grandmother Strict, ironfisted churchly widow was my fraternal grandmother. “Scram!” — she sent me off to the corner, eyes lashing me like no other. She of small frame, yet immense stature, All through her years formidable, Her sons, mustachioed regiment, Stood by her indomitable…Poetry3 min read
Published in No Crime in Rhymin’·Apr 13A Skyline of Giraffesa musing on collective nouns in iambic tetrameter — a herd of long-necked vertebrates extend skyward, perchance to graze on lofty branches' verdant treats — a feat they implement with ease zoologists have long proposed they’re ungulates with even toes who incessantly ruminate — chew that which they regurgitate you’ve heard, of course, of flocks of sheep, or schools of…Giraffe1 min read
Published in Lit Up·Apr 8Torment of a Russian Botready to defect — Days like zis, more often zan not, Is not easy, to be Russian bot. Is one thing, elections to steal, But bombing children …? Was never part of deal. 'Tis true, I am but sprockets and wire, Alloy encasing, my humble attire. …Poetry2 min read
Published in No Crime in Rhymin’·Mar 27Silly Animal Rhymes — The Zebrathe Serengeti series — The Zebra The end is near, my time has come, my vision dims, my limbs grow numb, how could I have been so dumb? Me and my whole entourage had the perfect camouflage …! Thought my stripes would give me cover, I was slick, like Donald Glover, predators would not discover me in all that grass…Poetry1 min read
Published in The Bigger Picture·Mar 19If Everyone at Work Likes You, You’re Spending Too Much Time Playing It SafeValue your adversaries, and be willing to confront your allies — Advice abounds online on how to cultivate your workplace emotional intelligence. On how to convert every interview into an offer. On how to read a room and win over an audience. On how to wield modes of communication as a precision ninja weapon. On how to get your colleagues to…Psychology6 min read
