The ship of Death [Vaporul morţii]
Between the water and the clouds was sailing without cease
Astray and with a damaged mast, by bolts of lightning hit;
The waves kept coming one by one, so it could find no peace,
And tossed and wavered while its paunch was cracking bit by bit.
The wind was whistling in the ropes its giant symphony
Ran to and fro and cut huge holes in the unrest below,
Spread everywhere across the sea a bitter irony
With its terrific and wild roars, like a relentless foe.
The gloomy night upon the waves considered it unreal,
On the horizon round and dark a dot and nothing more,
Without a man to give it soul or mind to steer the wheel
To overcome that loud turmoil from surface to the floor.
The passengers and sailor men, decayed, on deck were spread,
Blue brows, lips livid, and clenched fists, eyes motionless and cold,
Five, six, or eight, or even ten; they all were lying dead,
In piles impressive, yellow-green, because were wrapped in mold.
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poem by Alexandru Macedonski, translated by Octavian Cocoş
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Wings [Aripi]
On the sea of life I maybe let my mind to journey far
And I cheat myself with vain hopes, willingly, it's so bizarre,
I'm creating gold chimeras, lots of happenings arise,
And I watch them lost in rapture, for they all amaze my eyes.
Poetry! If I am walking or somewhere I'm standing still,
You bestow me with large blue wings, make me fly with so much skill;
There's no hindrance that can stop me, for I break it with my thought
And I'm waiting with excitement the events that life has brought!
On the road I see a treasure and it makes me feel content,
I get drunk of so much richness like a man that smells a scent.
I can see that everybody honors me and loves my stance,
Being charmed when I speak trifles, make a move or cast a glance.
Scores of ages still in future I believe will be inclined
To arrive with shining wonders to amaze and fill my mind.
Or in front of a brave army I can see myself sometimes,
Helmets spark, the drums start beating, in the distance a bell chimes...
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poem by Alexandru Macedonski, translated by Octavian Cocoş
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Impetus [Avânt]
As ships on the wide sea stop quickly for a while
Whenever the wind drops and sails perched on the mast
Hang down in calm repose under the moon's big smile,
But the bright silver rays in vain on them are cast;
As violin curbs its sound when strings too loose do lie
And hardly one can hear, as if he's fast asleep,
Nice and delightful notes, which fly above or die,
And all pervade the mind and their sweet charm is deep;
So in the griefs of life the poet cannot write,
His heart is in great pain and blood flows down his chest,
Dislikes the things around, deems nothing is all right,
And in his frozen soul all feelings are at rest.
The same is with the sailor aboard the ship that stopped,..
When the big boat was swimming to rise high he could dare,
The water reflects gently his lifeless looks that dropped
In its amazing mirror that stretches everywhere.
Those moments are so sad! Because beneath the stars
The poet's injured heart will quickly fall asleep
Like the majestic sea, but it is full of scars,
Because regret and hope can't sing in him, down deep.
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poem by Alexandru Macedonski, translated by Octavian Cocoş
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Philosophy of death [Filozofia morţii]
To Death, with unwise voice, such words I will not pour
"Stop coming for a while and wait a little more!",
To breathe my last I'm ready right now or anytime!
In it there's always freedom, in life man slave becomes...
Eternity is waiting for us with open arms...
And thus we all re-enter the bosom sweet, sublime!
It's not at all appalling, as people say and sigh;
Its glance is calm and bluish like the unclouded sky.
The state before inception is mirrored by its face!
Stays at the worldly border like a triumphant gate
Its fires wash the passions which have been sent by fate,
And cleans the clay that covers our souls so full of grace!
If any of the spirits denies its high domain
Is worthy then to live here and feel the bitter pain!
When cease to be you're rescued from suffering and cry!
By Jove! I'm sick of sleeping, and drinking in delight,
Again to do the same things from dawn till late at night,
To live, but have the feeling I cannot choose to die!
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poem by Alexandru Macedonski, translated by Octavian Cocoş
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