Reaching Out

Today has been a good and quiet day. I wrote a post on my librarian blog over here. Also I've almost finished my personal statement for my private school jobs and feeling productive.

One thing I adore about April is getting lost in reading poetry as I try to pick what to post. My trip plans to see my family are moving forward and I'm realizing how much good a break will do me.

In terms of good reading, I've almost finished an amazing book that everyone interested in badass crossdressing women needs to read. Its called They Fought like Demons: Women Soldiers in the Civil War., I've been reading it every chance I can get and its fascinating.

The poetry for today is more Greek just this time Sappho who is one of my favorites, I'm going to post a few I adore. All of these were translated by Willis Barnstone.

World
I could not hope
to touch the sky
with my two arms.

Dream
O dream from the blackness,
come when I was sleeping.

Sweet is the god but still I am
in agony and far from my strength,

for I had hopes to share
something of the happy ones,

nor was I so foolish
as to scorn pleasant toys.

Now my I have
all these things.

In Time of Storm
Brightness. I ask for good fortune
to reach the harbor, the earth
for our black ships.

We are sailors under great gales,
hoping for dry reefs,
to sail in with our cargo.

The sky is flowing.
Awash in the storm we have many
duties. O dry land!

After the Night Festival
Peace is simply havoc
and my heart is worn out.
[The night] sits down,
but come, my friends.
Soon it will be dawn.