Published in Resistance Poetry·PinnedMember-onlyVertigoa wobbly villanelle — by Joe Váradi Vertigo Been there, done that, and I can’t brag, Gravity, baby, you’re such a drag, Seems rock climbing just ain’t my bag. Watched kids scamper up to that flag, Half my age and twice as nimble, Been there, done that, and I can’t brag. Vertigo robbed me of…Climbing1 min readClimbing1 min read
Published in Lit Up·2 days agoMember-onlyOne thought alone my mind tormentsa verse translation of a poem by Sándor Petőfi — Continuing my tribute to Sándor Petőfi (1823–1849), in this bicentennial of his birth month, with one of his better-known revolutionary poems. Written in December of 1846, when he had already moved from his rural village to Pest, not yet married, not yet a leading figure in the revolution that would…Translation2 min readTranslation2 min read
Published in Lit Up·Jan 9Member-onlyThe Last Our Fathera verse translation of a poem by Jenő Dsida — One tiny little pill. Time to turn out the lights. Our Father, who art in heaven! Another scream resounds. Off to sleep, off to sleep, quietude and peace. Hallowed be thy name! Will this ever cease? Lanky old man sighing, better off, when you pass. Thy kingdom come! …Translation2 min readTranslation2 min read
Jan 1The Plains, in Wintera verse translation for the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sándor Petőfi — January, 1848 Now, are these plains at their plainest, I do declare! Since the fall was such a negligent caretaker; That which the spring bloom and Summertime had amassed, This one will squander so offhand and cavalier, Winter, a treasureless desolate frontier. No flocks of sheep, with bells jangling signs…Translation3 min readTranslation3 min read
Published in No Crime in Rhymin’·Dec 22, 2022Member-onlyBean Bag (Babzsák)a verse translation of a poem by Krisztina Tóth — I ordered thirty gallons of new stuffing. The little spheres lose their bounciness within as they jostle around, constantly touching, and break down, like the cells under your skin. I suddenly found myself down on the floor, after a few well-stuffed years, spine aching, and figured, I’ll just fill it up once…Translation2 min readTranslation2 min read
Published in No Crime in Rhymin’·Dec 11, 2022Member-onlyBeryx decadactylusa verse translation of a poem by Krisztina Tóth — If it were all gibberish, as foreign as umbrella palms in the dictionary, distant as Tierra del Fuego on the map, in my mind’s eye only, imaginary, if there were between us a savage virgin land, in its fresh waters ten-fingered fish lay, I’d thumb the pages and happen upon this confounding virgin language, I may, we’d rumble…Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
Published in No Crime in Rhymin’·Dec 7, 2022All Hail the Self-Appointed Chieftain of Poets on MediumI would, but he blocked my rhymin’ ass — Every now and then, a Messiah comes along, self-appointed, hubris-laden, knows he can do no wrong. His message is cloaked in selfless do-goodery, piously he starts to drizzle his sugary chock-full-o’ cliché plaudit of poetics — with clickbaity self-help wise man aesthetics. “The Complete Guide to Poetry…” reads the title, and leads…Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
Published in No Crime in Rhymin’·Dec 2, 2022Member-onlyBeer Truck Heavenashes to ashes, hops to dregs — This is from a few years ago, I had just parked my car on a lot in Peekskill, New York, and noticed these gentle beasts on the far side of the fencing. They had an air of weariness and solemn resignation. What could they have been thinking? Beer Truck Heaven Life has its Ups…Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Published in Vagabond Voices·Nov 27, 2022Member-onlyComing of the Lorda verse translation of a poem by Endre Ady — When I was cast out, When I carried my soul, stumbling weakly, Quietly and unexpected The Lord did embrace me. Silently he came, Without brass herald, with arms open, earnest, Not by daylight’s blazing luster, By night’s howling tempest. And I lost the light Of my two vain eyes. Died, my…Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Published in The Bigger Picture·Nov 11, 2022Member-onlyThe Oracle of Timbuktu: Remembering Kurt Vonneguton his 100th Birthday — I recently picked up Michael Asher’s book Death in the Sahara, about the 19th century French colonial expedition to chart a route for a railway line through the Sahara desert. The legendary city of Timbuktu was the intended destination of the ill-fated expedition. …Kurt Vonnegut6 min readKurt Vonnegut6 min read
