(Ruler (1988), Etching/Aquatint by Nele Zirnite, Lithuanian/Latvian printmaker)Where?by Aspazija (my
(Ruler (1988), Etching/Aquatint by Nele Zirnite, Lithuanian/Latvian printmaker)Where?by Aspazija (my translation from the Latvian original)I don’t want middle-of-the-road,I want totality!This piecemeal goodie-newnessI abhor to extinction.But that pleasure chalice,Garlanded with roses,When I just want to grasp it,Makes me feel - disgust!But, again rising upTo life’s pinnacles,There in snow-white clothesI must handle the awkwardness -Where is room for the soul?Where the bounds of sensation,Who pulses, falls, and risesAnd transforms throughout eternity?And the spirit, which tomorrow we trample,Yet today hold holy -Where is its permanence,Where is its destiny placed, where?Aspazija (Keep reading for Latvian original)KUR? Ne vidus ceļu laipot,Es gribu pilnību!Šo drusku labu-jaunuLīdz nāvei ienīstu. Bet baudījumu kausu,Ar rozēm pušķotu,Kad tikai satvert gribu,Es jūtu — riebumu! Bet, atkal paceļotiesUz dzīves augstuma,Tur sniega baltās drebēsMan jātirpst stingumā. — Kur dvēselei gan vieta?Kur jūtām robežas,Kas bango, krīt un ceļasUn mūžam pārvēršas? Un gars, kurš rītu samīs,Ko šodien svētu tur, —Kur viņam pastāvība?Kur nolikts mērķis, kur? Aspazija -- source link
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