The Poems of Sappho: An Interpretative Rendition into English

by Sappho, Veronica Ambrose (Narrator)

Are you looking for love poems? If so, you will really enjoy The Poems of An Interpretative Rendition into English.

While very little remains of Sappho's poetry, existing fragments suggest that she had a romantic interest in those of her own sex. Her poems are written as words spoken from one person to another and speak about the joys and difficulties of romantic love.

A distinction was not made in ancient Greece between homosexual and heterosexual relationships. Nevertheless, the terms “sapphic” and “lesbian”, both of which refer to same-sex female attraction, were inspired by Sappho's life and work.

Sappho has had an enduring reputation as a lyric poet across the centuries. In modern times, she has come to be known as a great lesbian poet, and her work is enjoyed by many both within and outside the LGBTQ community.

The audiobook includes the following poems and fragments of

Sapphics



The Muses Love’s Banquet Moon and Stars Ode to Anactoria The Rose Ode to Aphrodite Summer The Garden of the Nymphs Aphrodite’s Doves Anacreon’s Song The Daughter of Cyprus The Distaff The Sleep Wind Long Ago Epithalamia Threnodes

Bridal Song Pieria’s Rose The Stricken Flower Death Persephone Erotika Dithyrambs

Hymn to Paphia Eros Passion Aphrodite’s Praise The First Kiss Ode to Atthis Comparison The Sacrifice Leda The Love of Selene Larichus Spring Girl Friends

Prelude Andromeda Euneica Gorgo Mnasidica Telesippa Gyrinno Megara Erinna Gongyla Damophyla Anagora Phaon

Philomel Golden Pulse The Swallow Tidings Hesperus Dawn The Farewell Dark-Eyed Sleep The Cliff of Leucas

Genres: Poetry, Classics, LGBT, Queer, Ebooks, Mythology, Nonfiction

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 551

About the author

Work of Greek lyric poet Sappho, noted for its passionate and erotic celebration of the beauty of young women and men, after flourit circa 600 BC and survives only in fragments.

Ancient history poetry texts associate Sappho (Σαπφώ or Ψάπφω) sometimes with the city of Mytilene or suppose her birth in Eresos, another city, sometime between 630 BC and 612 BC. She died around 570 BC. People throughout antiquity well knew and greatly admired the bulk, now lost, but her immense reputation endured.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sappho

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Around 600 BC, on the island of Lesbos, there lived a poet so revered that Plato called her the “tenth muse.” Sappho’s poetry is lyrical--as in literally meant to be recited to lyre music. I read a great story, that in 1898, an excavation in Egypt uncovered coffins made papier- mâché fashion out of scraps of paper, and on the scraps they found Sappho verses.

The collection I read was translated by John Myers O'Hara, a poet from Iowa, at the beginning of the 20th century. I had wanted to read Anne Carson’s translation, but couldn’t get ahold of it. This was enjoyable, but probably not as authentic.

What I liked best was her blend of the natural world with human existence.
From “The Rose”
Softly breathed, its scent is a plea for passion,
When it blooms to welcome the kiss of Kypris;
Sheathed in fragrant leaves its tremulous petals
Laugh in the zephyr.

Many lines praised the beauty of ancient women. Here are a few from “Mnasidica.”
Set, O Dica, garlands on thy lovely
Glinting mass of fine and golden tresses,
Sprays of dill with fingers soft entwining
While I stand apart to better judge.

Maybe it was the style of “standing apart” and “judging” that kept me from loving this the way I thought I might.

One of my favorites was “Pieria’s Rose.” Here are the last two stanzas:
But no one maid, I think, beneath the skies,
At any time shall live and be as wise,
In sooth, as I am; for the Muses Nine
Have made me honored and their gifts are mine;

And men, I think, will never quite forget
My songs or me; so long as stars shall set
Or sun shall rise, or hearts feel love's desire
My voice shall cross their dreams, a sigh of fire.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sappho is the gayest poet. Her name and work provide the source for not one, but two (2) common terms for romantic love between women ("sapphic," of obvious etymology, and the somewhat better-known "lesbian," derived from the island of Lesbos, where Sappho lived). I love Sappho not just because I'm a lesbian, but also because her poetry is incredibly beautiful. It's also incredibly gay. One of the less gay things she wrote, in "Love's Banquet," goes:

So to me and my Lesbians round me gathered,
Each made mine, an amphor of love long tasted,
Bid us drink, who sigh for thy thrill ecstatic,
Passion's full goblet;

We also get slightly more explicit gayness, e.g. in "Ode to Anactoria":

Tones that make the heart in my bosom flutter,
For if I, the space of a moment even,
Near to thee come, any word I would utter
Instantly fails me;

Vain my stricken tongue would a whisper fashion,
Subtly under my skin runs fire ecstatic;
Straightway mists surge dim to my eyes and leave them
Reft of their vision;

[...]

Overcome with kisses her faintest protest,
Melt her mood to mine with amorous touches,
Till her low assent and her sigh's abandon
Lure me to rapture.

Fun fact: scholars used to (and to some extent still do) argue whether Sappho was really gay, or just really fond of women. This is what happens when 2600 years of literary scholarship is dominated by men.

Previous review: The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath.
Next review: House of Leaves, by Mark Z. Danielewski.

[sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

veel Griekse namen die ik niet ken en oud Engels taalgebruik dat ik niet begrijp maar alsnog it made me feel things man

Saw the face immortal, and daring greatly,
Raised my eyes to hers of unfathomed azure,
Drank their world's desire, their limitless longing,
Swooned and was nothing.
🧡

[cynne★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i am just like sappho: greek and gay

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say this counts as celebrating women's day.

[Emily Fullhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just know Sappho was meeeesssyyy

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recognize the importance of this collection of poetry and Sappho’s place in the pantheon of poets and I am glad I finally read some of them (this is not a complete collection).

I love poetry and read quite a lot of it. That said, I did not love these poems. They were nice enough, but a bit monotone and very same-y with just the names switched out. I wish I had had the leisure to read just one poem a day, because maybe they wouldn’t have struck me quite the same way.

In short, your mileage may vary!

[The Real Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[jacky · Rating 5 out of 5]

wunderschön

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I certainly liked more poems than others, but I felt pretty lukewarm about all of them. I like how Sappho describes love as almost painful sometimes. I was hoping her poems wouldn’t be quite so male-gazey but I was disappointed in that regard. She writes about her lovers a lot like a man would, especially in Damophyla and Erinna. I liked Gorgo, it captures the feelings of a lot of women towards unwanted but persistent suitors.

[Courtney Doss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrill my heart that throbs with unwonted fervor,
Chasten mouth and throat with immortal kisses,
Till I yield on maddening heights the very
Breath of my body

Goddamn, Sappho could write. This collection is beautiful. It is full of gorgeous devotionals to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and passionate poetry dedicated to her lady lovers. I adored this, though judging by the reactions of people below I don't think this is necessarily the "complete" works of Sappho. Now that I've read this relatively cheap collection, though, I know that it will be worth it to spring for a more comprehensive collection.

[iba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has not my life been one sole hymn of thee,
One quivering chord on Love's harp overwrought?
My soul has trembled up to thee in thought,
Probed to its depth thy every ecstasy.

Are not my countless heart-beats each a vow,
Of tribute throbs a garland? For thy gain
The Fates have drenched my soul in passion's rain,
Pieria's roses twined about my brow.

sappho is a genius. her poems have such a rhythmic beauty to it. sapphic love and yearning has never been better described in any other writing or saying.

[victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’M IN LOVE WITH SAPPHO

[Little Button Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it is easy to say that Sappho was a very messy woman and deeply in touch with her sexuality, knowing exactly what she wanted and how she wanted it, I also cannot unthink the idea that she may have had a foot fetish, especially after my partner commented on her apparent fondness for feet while I was reading The Daughter of Cyprus. The “gleaming foot” part, along with the almost excessive detail given to the fabric of her sandal wrapped around her ankle, particularly stood out to me. I was also surprised by the more emotionally raw moments in her poetry, such as her longing for her brother to return safely after what were presumably not the kindest last words exchanged before he sailed to Egypt in search of his lost love. I felt Sappho’s desperation deeply and could easily imagine standing beside her on her balcony, endlessly gazing out at the vast sea before her.

[Maddie]

Not rating this one, cause I’m not really sure how I’d rate it lol
I’m trying to get more into poetry, and this helped me realize how much I can enjoy it when it’s not something I’m being forced to read for school lol

[Aaron Schuschu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure if actually Sappho or just when the British went through that phase of fangirling the Greeks.

[Kara Whicker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to it and it was pretty mid. Would way rather of read it

[Daniel Tol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprisingly, reading passionate love poetry doesn’t really make you feel anything or relate if you’re never been in love and are basically a virgin. Go figure :p

[Angi Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank sappho for beautiful sapphic poetry

[Taro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sappho is no doubt a great poet, but I unfortunately did not enjoy every one of her poems.
Her poems and their quotes that I have saved:

Moon and Stars:
"When the moon at full on the sill of
heaven
Light her beacon, flooding the
earth with silver,
All the shining stars that about her
cluster
Hide their fair faces;"

The Rose
"Joy and pride of plants, and the gar-
den's glory,
Beauty's blush it brings to the
cheek of meadows;
Draining fire and dew from the
dawn for rarest
Color and odor;"

"Sheathed in fragrant leaves its
tremulous petals
Laugh in the zephyr."

The Reproach
"Now that he is gone and my anger
vanished,
Keen regret and grief for the pain I
gave him
Pierce my heart, and fear of loss
that is anguish
Darkens the daylight."

Long Ago
"Loved one, mine no more, who
lovest another
More than me;"

The Stricken Flower
"Think not to ever look as once of
yore,
Atthis, upon my love; for thou no
more
Wilt find intact upon its stem the
flower
Thy guile left slain and bleeding in
that hour.

So ruthless shepherds crush
beneath their feet
The hill flower blooming in the
summer heat;
The hyacinth whose purple heart is
found
Left bruised and dead, to darken on
the ground."

Death
"Death is an evil; so the Gods
decree,
So they have judged, and such must
rightly be
Our mortal view; for they who
dwell on high
Had never lived, had it been good
to die."

"No hint of grief should mar the fea-
tures of
Our dreams of endless beauty, last-
ing love;
For they reflect the joy inviolate,
Eternal calm that fronts whatever
fate."

Persephone
"The cloud had vanished, bearing
her away
To underlands beyond the smiling
day."

Maidenhood
"Maidenhood, O maidenhood,
Wither hast thou flown?
To a land beyond the sea
Thou hast never known.
Maidenhood, O maidenood,
Wilt return to me?
Never will my bloom again
Give its grace to thee."

Ever Maiden
"I shall be ever maiden,
Ever the little child,
In my passionate quest for the love-
ly,
By earth's glad wonder beguiled.

I shall be ever maiden,
Standing in soul apart,
For the Gods give the secret of
beauty
Alone to the virgin heart."

Aspiration
"I do not think with my two arms to
touch the sky,
I do not dream to do almighty
things;
So small a singing bird may never
soar so high,
To beat the sapphire fire with baf-
fled wings.

I do not think with my two arms to
touch the sky,
I do not dream by any chance to
share
With deathless Gods the bliss of
Paphos they deny
To men behind the azure veil of air."

Gnomics
II
"Who from my hands what I can
spare
Of gifts accept the largest share,
Those are the very ones who boast
No gratitude and wrong me most."

Pride
"Pride not thyself upon a ring,
Or any trinket thing
Of fleeting value, dross or gold.

"Wealth, lacking worth, is no safe
friend,
Though both to life may lend,
In just proportion, joy untold."

The Love of Selene
"Across the still sea's moonlit wave
Selene came
Softly to seek the Latmian cave,
Her breast aflame

With secret passion's ruthless
throe,
Her scruples done,
And burning with desire to know
Endymion."

Prelude
"Maiden fair, companions
Of the Muses, never
Toward you shall my feelings
Undergo a change.

Chanted in a plaintive
Old Ionic measure,
All the songs i give you
Are the songs of love."

The Cliff of Leucas
"And I shall rise
Indifferent forever to love's dream,
Or find below
The sea's eternal voice,
Eternal peace."

The Dust of Timas
"This is the dust of Timas! Here
inurned
Rest the dear ashed where so late
had burned
Her spirit's flame. She perished,
gentle maid,
Before her bridal day and now a
shade,
Silent and sad, she evermore must
be
In the dark chamber of Persephone.
When life had faded with the flower
and leaf,
Each girl friend sweet, in token of
her grief,
Resigned her severed locks with
bended head,
Beauty's fair tribute to the lovely
dead."

Finis.

[Rod Zinkel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sappho is known primarily for passionate poetry, and her love for women. Most of the poetry is expressing of passionate love, if not desire for beauty. There are some other sentiments expressed, such as the pleading of a woman to her male lover not to go to sea. But these do not make up much of the extent poetry in this collection.
There are expressions to deities. These are usually tied to expressions of affection or desire for the women who serve the deities. One question I have from this collection of poetry is whether there was genuine piety, or religious sentiment, in Sappho’s poetry, or whether it is only amorous feelings applied to deities.
Sappho is fine for introducing students to Greek literature, as lyrical poetry is easier to understand and identify with than Hesiod or Homer, but Hesiod and Homer do much more to develop the mythologies than Sappho does. It is not surprising that this version of the book has a higher rating on Goodreads than I would give it, as some will love the passion that a person can identify with, some will love it because Sappho is sassy, and some will praise it because she is gay. I would not suggest these as good reasons to praise Sappho’s poetry.

[Alex at lost Haven Homestead · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ 4.5 Stars (Excellent with minor issues)
🧸🧸 2 Mixed comfort
💧💧💧 3 A bittersweet ache
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 5: An unforgettable romance
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spicy Sizzle (Open Door)
Adult
Poetry, Classical Literature, LGBTQ+
🎧 1 hr
a collection of the surviving lyrical poetry attributed to Sappho, an ancient Greek poet from the island of Lesbos.

💭:
The fragmented nature of the surviving poems and the choices made in translation can influence the reading experience. However, the island of Lesbos offers a rich cultural backdrop, even if the setting is less clearly defined compared to prose.

While undeniably beautiful, the poetry often conveys a sense of intensity and melancholy. It features deeply emotional and poignant expressions of love and loss.

Love and romance serve as the sole focus of the poetry. For its time, the poetry was remarkably explicit in addressing desire and physical love, though it may not appear so by today’s standards.

I truly hope these lines could help me find a girlfriend or even a wife, but that means I need to step outside my comfort zone, away from my home or books. I enjoyed writing them and wish there were even more to share.

[nethescurial · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thousands of years ago Sappho so completely perfected the process of turning passion and yearning into art that it's almost insane how anyone has even fucking tried since then. That's hyperbolic obvs but it's incredible how timelessly this captures the often painful feeling of madness that passion can bring, especially in matters of love [between humans, from humans to the gods, etc]. Just chock full of unbelievably striking imagery and sensory details as well, these are words to just swim in. Probably the perfect work to read during spring and summer nights as well. Writing about good poetry is pointless!!

[Sheridan Rea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t have the background in Greek mythology to fully appreciate these poems. I’m also someone who enjoys cadence and rhyme in poetry which becomes more difficult to appreciate in translated works. That said, there were several poems in this book that spoke to me, and I expect I will come back to them to think more on their themes. Overall, I enjoyed learning about the author from which sapphics draw their name.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are simple, elegant, and beautiful. I would love to read Sappho in ancient Greek, but I thought the translation was well done. I enjoyed some of her pieces more than others. I was drawn to the ones that told a story or and loved the ones that spoke deeply of emotion. I am interested to see other translations and how they compare.

[Val+Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

these poems are one of my favorite collections I’ve read!! Sappho is hilarious and talented and her writing is a must read. One of my favorite funny poems is as follows “Crazy Woman//why are you bragging to me about a ring?” Sapphic people will LOVE this. 4.75/5 stars

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oispa Lesbian summer.

[nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved

[Bishop Juneblood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite old and free translation of Sappho. The librivox reader for the free audiobook version also did a fantastic job.

[ℜ · Rating 5 out of 5]