I have been accused
by renewal and by variety
that I traffic in big stale
amounts of repetition
that boredom becomes addicted to.
Ι protest, although that causes
new victims of addiction since
all protests around the world
traffic in their stale repetition.
Indeed only from the repetition's shop
open day and night
can illusion buy immortality wares.
How much new
how much astonishingly diverse
is possible to flow in the unchangeable
veins of this world
and how can you deprive it of dying
repeatedly again and again again
depriving then its renewal
from death.
Everything new is a drizzle
leaking from surprise's roof
and we collect it in a repetition's
plastic basin.
In pursuit, you tell me, in pursuit
you will find the new.
Oh, but pursuit
is only sameness in disguise.
Pursuit of something new again
again I forgive you
again I dreamed of you
tomorrow again tomorrow
I will tell you again
again you will ask for
a logical explanation
again I will answer that
what is required is not for you to understand
but to endure.
---------------------------------------------
Personal notes:
This poem was published as part of the collection 'Departures' sound' (2001).
The poem's core theme is the inevitable dominance of an 'unchangeable' world over the illusion of renewal in one's life. Dimoula seems to suggest that we cannot create something new over and over again because ultimately our world (and perhaps our mortality) offers us limited options. Therefore, repetition is an intrinsic part of our lives, because it is natural.
The poem begins with an accusation, though it is not clear who is actually accusing the poet of being repetitious, or what this repetition involves.
There are a few possible interpretations.
The accusation may be originating from someone who is close to the poet and who wishes that their relationship is rejuvenated by breaking its routine and pursuing new experiences. But it is impossible for the poet to do that.
The last stanza of the poem, where Dimoula changes the grammatical person and addresses someone directly, supports this interpretation. In those last few lines, the poem becomes personal and more intimate. The poet asks from this person to endure this repetition rather than understand it, suggesting that it is impossible for her to change.
Another possible interpretation, although perhaps a far-fetched one, is that this poem is actually an answer to some critics of Dimoula's work. Dimoula is 'accused' by some critics as being repetitive in the subjects and focus of her poems. Here, she wonders how anyone can keep pursuing and reinventing new things when this world is so 'unchangeable'. To keep creating new things would be an illusion, just like immortality is an illusion.
by renewal and by variety
that I traffic in big stale
amounts of repetition
that boredom becomes addicted to.
Ι protest, although that causes
new victims of addiction since
all protests around the world
traffic in their stale repetition.
Indeed only from the repetition's shop
open day and night
can illusion buy immortality wares.
How much new
how much astonishingly diverse
is possible to flow in the unchangeable
veins of this world
and how can you deprive it of dying
repeatedly again and again again
depriving then its renewal
from death.
Everything new is a drizzle
leaking from surprise's roof
and we collect it in a repetition's
plastic basin.
In pursuit, you tell me, in pursuit
you will find the new.
Oh, but pursuit
is only sameness in disguise.
Pursuit of something new again
again I forgive you
again I dreamed of you
tomorrow again tomorrow
I will tell you again
again you will ask for
a logical explanation
again I will answer that
what is required is not for you to understand
but to endure.
---------------------------------------------
Personal notes:
This poem was published as part of the collection 'Departures' sound' (2001).
The poem's core theme is the inevitable dominance of an 'unchangeable' world over the illusion of renewal in one's life. Dimoula seems to suggest that we cannot create something new over and over again because ultimately our world (and perhaps our mortality) offers us limited options. Therefore, repetition is an intrinsic part of our lives, because it is natural.
The poem begins with an accusation, though it is not clear who is actually accusing the poet of being repetitious, or what this repetition involves.
There are a few possible interpretations.
The accusation may be originating from someone who is close to the poet and who wishes that their relationship is rejuvenated by breaking its routine and pursuing new experiences. But it is impossible for the poet to do that.
The last stanza of the poem, where Dimoula changes the grammatical person and addresses someone directly, supports this interpretation. In those last few lines, the poem becomes personal and more intimate. The poet asks from this person to endure this repetition rather than understand it, suggesting that it is impossible for her to change.
Another possible interpretation, although perhaps a far-fetched one, is that this poem is actually an answer to some critics of Dimoula's work. Dimoula is 'accused' by some critics as being repetitive in the subjects and focus of her poems. Here, she wonders how anyone can keep pursuing and reinventing new things when this world is so 'unchangeable'. To keep creating new things would be an illusion, just like immortality is an illusion.
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ReplyDeleteThis poem is beautiful but I do not empathise with it, yet.
ReplyDeleteIt's something I can see and understand but not feel. I suspect it is a different experience to read in one's 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s etc. I wonder if Kiki believe's this too, or whether she, when in her 20's was of this sentiment already.
I wonder if she talks to human emotion and sentiments across generations. Or whether this poem is encased within a single life experience. What then is made of one's trajectory through life? Does it become cyclical after a certain point? This is what I cannot comment on but speaking in my 20's, there's been limited repetition thus far.
Or rather does she talk to the cycle of parents, children, their children and so on and so forth.
Knowing what I do of Kiki, I am guessing perhaps both.
Both the poem and its translation though, are gorgeous.
J
Thank you for your wonderful blog, which is my introduction to this amazing poet. I wish you would also post some of her work in Greek. Perhaps even small excerpts?
ReplyDeleteI read the last stanza of this poem a bit differently. I see it rather as her talking to herself and to all of us, suggesting that what we need, when understanding escapes us as it so often does, is the ability to endure.
Thank you very much for your comment, and for reading my blog. I like that you read the last stanza differently, which shows the richness of Dimoula's work, and suggests that even when she is 'talking to herself' her words resonate in our ears.
ReplyDeleteI have decided not to post Kiki Dimoula's poems in Greek to my blog. I encourage any Greek speaking individuals to purchase Dimoula's work, available at http://www.ikarosbooks.gr/author-details.asp?author=63.
Wunderschönes Gedicht von dir, hat mich echt sehr berührt.Großes Lob an dich und einen Tiefgang.Werde nach meinem Urlaub in Schenna wieder gerne bei dir vorbeischauen.Liebe Grüße Elena
ReplyDelete