I’ve written quite a bit about Borges lately, exploring books by and about him; and for the 1944 Club club I was able to read his “Ficciones”, which was a great joy. So when we decided on 1976 I had a look to see if there were any works by the great man from that year, and although there was no fiction I could find, he did publish a poetry collection called “The Iron Coin”. Now, I’ve read plenty of Borges’ prose but none of his poetry as far as I can recall, so this seemed an ideal book to explore for the club. Unfortunately, I don’t have the full collection, but I do have a book of his “Selected Poems” which does feature some from “Iron…” so I figured I would take a look at these to see what Borges poetry is actually like.
The anthology I own is a dual language one, and it contains eleven poems from “The Iron Coin”, plus Borges’ prologue; this in itself is fascinating reading with any number of provoking comments jumping out at the reader:
The steely music of the Saxon language is no less agreeable than the delicate musings of the Symbolists. Each subject, however, occasional or thin, imposes on us its own aesthetic. Each word, though weighed down by the centuries, opens up a blank page and posits the future.
The actual verses themselves are rendered by a variety of translators (indicated by initials) and range over history, authors, composers and Borges’ father, amongst other, and are short but beautifully written. I guess these were all dictated to one of his various amanuensi, and there are some really affecting lines in the works. A few quotes might give you a flavour of what I’m talking about:
The sea was always his. By the time his eyes
First took in the great waters of the high seas
He had already longed for and possessed it
On that other ocean, which is Writing.
(from “Herman Melville”)I have committed the worst sin of all
That a man can commit. I have not been
Happy. Let the glaciers of oblivion
Drag me and mercilessly let me fall.
(from “Remorse”)
“You are Not the Others” is also a powerful piece of work but you need to read the whole poem so I encourage you to search it out! 😀
Borges’ poetry is the kind I respond well to, with an immediacy and also with beautiful imagery and wordplay. Having read this selection from “The Iron Coin” I’m now not only keen to dip into more of my selected volume, but also wonder if the individual collections are available in full. Certainly Borges was an amazing wordsmith who could turn his talents to all forms of writing and reading these poems has been one of the pleasures of the #1976Club! 😀
Simon T
Oct 16, 2021 @ 11:13:49
I still haven’t read any Borges, but I am really drawn to the passages you quote. I always wonder how poetry can be conveyed in translation, so must be interesting to have multiple translators in one volume.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2021 @ 11:43:05
Yes, that *is* interesting – this is the first time I’ve read from the book, and I did feel a consistent voice from these poems. I do recommend him though probs best to start with his short stories.
Margot Kinberg
Oct 16, 2021 @ 12:46:35
I’m so glad you chose this one, Karen! Not many authors are talented poets as well as fiction (and non-fiction) writers, but Borges was. I’ll admit I’m not sophisticated at all about his poetry, but you’ve reminded me that I responded to it well, too. I need to read more of it.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2021 @ 14:10:30
I’m not sophisticated about poetry in general, Margot, but I know what I like and I respond to and that’s what matters to me when I read it! And I did love this verse – so I’m glad I have the rest of the volume to dip into.
#1976Club – time from a little poetry from a prose master! #borges – Context+Continuity
Oct 16, 2021 @ 13:58:33
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heavenali
Oct 16, 2021 @ 17:36:55
I haven’t ever read Borges, his name is probably only familiar to me because of your enthusiasm for his work. Some lovely imagery there in the poem called Herman Melville you quote from.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2021 @ 11:52:28
He’s a marvellous writer – maybe you’ll have the chance to dip into his short stories one day!
WordsAndPeace
Oct 16, 2021 @ 18:01:36
Beautiful! I don’t think I ever read his poetry either. Major flaw in my reading life! Maybe soon, as I’m currently re-reading Ficciones with a Goodreads club.
Talking about poetry, I’m reading a collection of haiku written by Richard Wright (yes!) at the end of his life when he was in France. Really good too
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2021 @ 11:52:02
Borges was so multi-talented, and Ficciones is marvellous, isn’t it? I didn;t know Wright wrote poetry – thanks for the hint! 😀
Julé Cunningham
Oct 16, 2021 @ 23:10:25
Fascinating! I didn’t even realize Borges wrote poetry and I love his prose. Lovely excerpts you’ve picked out too.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2021 @ 11:50:50
He was a really multi-talented author, wasn’t he? I definitely want to delve deeper into this collection!
1streading
Oct 17, 2021 @ 15:25:53
I don’t know Borges’ poetry very well but this does want to make me take a closer look.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2021 @ 16:59:36
This was my first read of it, and I did enjoy it! Definitely worth exploring, I would say!
Liz Dexter
Oct 18, 2021 @ 21:25:02
How lovely, and I keep finding more and more you’ve read for the Club – well done!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 19, 2021 @ 14:15:09
Thank you! I *am* pleased with what I read!
buriedinprint
Oct 20, 2021 @ 17:59:15
What a great “discovery” to fit with the club event!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 20, 2021 @ 18:53:15
It was! Glad I finally read some of Borges poetry!
madamebibilophile
Oct 24, 2021 @ 18:47:44
I’ve never read Borges’ poetry but I really love what you’ve quoted here. Translating poetry is so impressive – I can’t even begin to think how to approach such an immense task!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2021 @ 18:58:20
I know – translation of prose can be challenging enough, but the complexity of poetry, particularly when it’s very structured, must be so hard to replicate. I am in awe…
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