Philosopher's Stone: A poem by António Gedeão
Philosopher's Stone
(by António Gedeão)
They don't know that dreams
are a constant in life
so concrete and well-defined
as any other thing,
like this grey rock
upon which I sit and rest,
like this gentle stream
skipping serenely,
like these tall pine trees
that shuffle in green and gold,
like these birds that cry
in fountains of blue.
They don't know that dreams
are wine, are foam, are ferment,
are thrilled and thirsty creatures,
with pointed snouts,
who dig through everything
in perpetual motion.
They don't know that dreams
are canvas, are colour, are brush,
base, shaft, capital,
ogival arches, stained glass,
cathedral's spire,
counterpoint, symphony,
greek mask, magic,
that's a counter to alchemy,
distant world map,
compass rose, Infante,
fifteenth century ship,
that's cape of Good Hope,
gold, cinnamon, ivory,
swordsman's foil,
backstage, dance step,
Columbina and Harlequin,
flying Passarola,
lighting rod, locomotive,
festive figureheaded boat,
blast furnace, generator,
nuclear fission, radar,
ultrasound, television,
blasting off in a rocket ship
on the surface of the moon.
They don't know, nor do they dream,
that dreams command reality,
that every time a man dreams
the world bounces forward
like a colourful ball
in the hands of a child.
I chose to translate Pedra Filosofal because it’s one of my favourite Portuguese language poems and the only one I know my heart. I like it so much, I even had the courage to perform it in public in Secondary school for a Literature Day! It’s a very beautiful poem.
Translating poetry is always very difficult. I decided to not even attempt to stick to the rhyme scheme, giving priority to the syllabic count on each line. Of course, it was impossible to match it perfectly, but I tried as best as I could to keep the general flow and rhythm of the poem, as it is often accompanied by music.
Original Link: https://goo.gl/gijNYM
Translated by: Mariana
Revised by: Badriah (I don't want to take credit for this translation, Mariana did an excellent job and I didn't edit anything).
Chosen by: Mariana
I chose to translate Pedra Filosofal because it’s one of my favorite Portuguese language poems and the only one I know by heart. I like it so much, I even had the courage to perform it in public in Secondary school for Literature Day! It’s a very beautiful poem.
Translating poetry is always very difficult. I decided to not even attempt to stick to the rhyme scheme, giving priority to the syllabic count on each line. Of course, it was impossible to match it perfectly, but I tried as best as I could to keep the general flow and rhythm of the poem, as it is often accompanied by music.
- Mariana Costa
2 comments
When was this poem published?
ReplyDeleteA beautiful, in fact stunning, translation. Thank you.
ReplyDelete