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The Poetry of Sappho: An Expanded Edition, Featuring Newly Discovered Poems
"The Sapphic impression of emotion poured out in unpremeditated speech is the product of sophisticated art. Such poetry confronts the translator with a formidable challenge.... Jim Powell is fully aware of the dangers, and speaks of the 'fluidity, ease, grace, and melodic variety' of Sappho's measures. Powell has tried to reproduce the effect. The resulting book is a brilliant success. Powell has shored her fragments against [Sappho's] ruins to give us a garland in which the flowers, though tattered, have not faded."--Bernard Knox, The New Republic
"Graceful, fluent, lucid while respectful of Jim Powell's unsurpassed embodiment of Sappho in English has all the conviction of art."--Robert Pinsky
This new edition of The Poetry of Sappho translates all the surviving texts of Sappho that make consecutive poetic sense, including the newly discovered "Brothers Ode," "Cypris fragment," and other papyrus texts published in 2014. The translation is particularly intent on bringing over into English Sappho's formal mastery along with her sense. It includes summary discussions of Sappho's biography and the history of her texts, an essay on the formal character of her work and its tradition, and notes on the poems.
"Graceful, fluent, lucid while respectful of Jim Powell's unsurpassed embodiment of Sappho in English has all the conviction of art."--Robert Pinsky
This new edition of The Poetry of Sappho translates all the surviving texts of Sappho that make consecutive poetic sense, including the newly discovered "Brothers Ode," "Cypris fragment," and other papyrus texts published in 2014. The translation is particularly intent on bringing over into English Sappho's formal mastery along with her sense. It includes summary discussions of Sappho's biography and the history of her texts, an essay on the formal character of her work and its tradition, and notes on the poems.
96 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 551
16 people are currently reading
1218 people want to read
About the author
Sappho
310 books1,990 followersWork 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
January 31, 2022
The fragmentary nature of the poems made me feel like I'm missing a lot, but the feminine gaze and tone of the poems was so refreshing 😩🤌🏼
September 10, 2019
“May you sleep upon your gentle companion’s breast.” is the same as “get u a gf..... nap on her tiddy”
December 17, 2020
It's gay poetry bro. Gay ancient poetry. How could you not like??
March 2, 2017
As the stars surrounding the lovely moon will
hide away the splendor of their appearance
when in all her fullness she shines the brightest
over the whole earth
[LP 34]
January 27, 2022
I love Sappho and her poetry, but the translation was just not that good.
August 30, 2022
The rating is neither for the poems (as most are obscure fragments) nor for the translation (which most reviewers before me have criticized).
My rating is entirely based on how, even after 2600 years of her birth, a woman remains strong in the canon of world literature. Reading these fragments sent me back to the emotionally charged headscape I had after reading Enheduanna (the Sumerian priestess). Now that I read these, I'll just retire to create vague scenarios of these two women writing their thoughts down, possibly unaware that they are to be immortalized.
My rating is entirely based on how, even after 2600 years of her birth, a woman remains strong in the canon of world literature. Reading these fragments sent me back to the emotionally charged headscape I had after reading Enheduanna (the Sumerian priestess). Now that I read these, I'll just retire to create vague scenarios of these two women writing their thoughts down, possibly unaware that they are to be immortalized.
November 20, 2013
Some of my favorite fragments and/or sections of her poetry include:
"Some say thronging cavalry, some say foot soldiers, others call a fleet the most beautiful of sights the dark earth offers, but I say it's whatever you love best."
"don't you remember...we, too, did such things in our youth."
"May storm winds and worries bear off the man who lectures my anguish."
"As a sweet apple reddens on a high branch at the tip of the topmost bough: The apple pickers missed it. No, they didn't miss it: They couldn't reach it."
"Lift high the roofbeam..." (Updike, anyone?)
"Some say thronging cavalry, some say foot soldiers, others call a fleet the most beautiful of sights the dark earth offers, but I say it's whatever you love best."
"don't you remember...we, too, did such things in our youth."
"May storm winds and worries bear off the man who lectures my anguish."
"As a sweet apple reddens on a high branch at the tip of the topmost bough: The apple pickers missed it. No, they didn't miss it: They couldn't reach it."
"Lift high the roofbeam..." (Updike, anyone?)
December 18, 2022
Tbh I read this primarily because ~as a queer woman~ saying you've read Sappho is such a flex (admittedly in the most pretentious way possible). I had no idea how much of her poetry was lost? Like for someone who's name has survived Millenia id have assumed we'd have more than a couple of fragmented poems and some quotes. It was beautiful though, lots of reviews said this translation was shit so id love to find a better collection.
May 31, 2013
Come to me now once again and release me
from grueling anxiety.
All that my heart longs for,
fulfill. And be yourself my ally in love’s battle.
Some say an army of horsemen,
some of footsoldiers, some of ships,
is the fairest thing on the black earth,
but I say it is what one loves.
June 22, 2017
Sappho is still read, even though she lived in the seventh century, before Christ.
When I started reading this book, I had in mind that I'll read poems that have detailed descriptions of lesbian and sexual intercourses, but it was quite the contrary. Sappho's poetry is full of rapture. She uses mythological allusions as a means to depict her emotional lust for the human body, and the feminine body specifically. Many times, she relates to Aphrodite and Eros, and she invents passionate conversations between her and them.
Almost all of the book contains fragments or poetic epigrams, though there are a few narrative poems.
I liked many of what she wrote here, for example :
"Like a child to her mother, I have flown to you."
"Earth with her many garlands is embroidered."
"Fool, don't try to bend a stubborn heart."
"You have forgotten me or else you love another more than me."
"Far more melodious than the lyre, more golden than the gold."
And there is a quotation that shows her tendency to her same sex:
"Toward you beautiful girls, my thoughts never alter."
When I started reading this book, I had in mind that I'll read poems that have detailed descriptions of lesbian and sexual intercourses, but it was quite the contrary. Sappho's poetry is full of rapture. She uses mythological allusions as a means to depict her emotional lust for the human body, and the feminine body specifically. Many times, she relates to Aphrodite and Eros, and she invents passionate conversations between her and them.
Almost all of the book contains fragments or poetic epigrams, though there are a few narrative poems.
I liked many of what she wrote here, for example :
"Like a child to her mother, I have flown to you."
"Earth with her many garlands is embroidered."
"Fool, don't try to bend a stubborn heart."
"You have forgotten me or else you love another more than me."
"Far more melodious than the lyre, more golden than the gold."
And there is a quotation that shows her tendency to her same sex:
"Toward you beautiful girls, my thoughts never alter."
January 12, 2021
I have immersed myself in Love, Romance and Passion so I decided to read Sappho.
The words that resonated with me were deathless face, raving heart and raven tresses....
The words that resonated with me were deathless face, raving heart and raven tresses....
June 29, 2024
I'm beginning to suspect something about this Sappho person...
August 30, 2024
It was a terrible read, I don't recommend it.
August 18, 2022
love sappho’s poems but this translation was ass lol
February 11, 2024
"Surely once you too were a delicate child:
come now, sing this, all of you, add your voices"
come now, sing this, all of you, add your voices"
October 26, 2018
لعل الكثيرين منا لم يسمع عن هذه الشاعرة الإغريقية التي حيرت النقاد بجمال شعرها وجرأتها في طرح مواضيع اجتماعية صريحة . وقد أعجبني شعرها كثيراً من الناحية الفنية . وقرأت ديوانها الوحيد الذي وصلنا من أصل تسعة دواوين كتبتها في حياتها.
https://m7raby.wordpress.com/2018/10/...
January 6, 2017
i love sappho
im so sad that more of her work didn't survive
im so sad that more of her work didn't survive
October 12, 2018
shit translation tf
February 12, 2020
I love Sappho, but this is a poor translation, losing the poeticism of other translations and in parts seeming even to erase her desire for women.
July 16, 2020
5/5
I am unable to put my love for this book into words. Sappho's verses are lyrical, dynamic, musical and whimsical.
Wow, just wow.
The best thing I've read in 2020, without a doubt.
I am unable to put my love for this book into words. Sappho's verses are lyrical, dynamic, musical and whimsical.
Wow, just wow.
The best thing I've read in 2020, without a doubt.
Read
June 9, 2022I mean, the poetry sounds pretty, but I don’t understand it.
March 30, 2023
Literally me.
November 18, 2017
While I enjoyed reading this collection of translations I did question the format and framework.
With any translation, it is customary to have the translator share their goals in their undertaking. Why should I read THIS translation? What should I keep in mind. Without that in place at the beginning of the book, I questioned whether Jim Powell even translated this work or just compiled a nice reading of other translations he edited to read smoothly.
That’s the thing though, these are still delightful to read. Some translations are so true to the fragments that exist that it can be difficult to flow through the lines or comprehend them. The translations in this book are quite fun and easy to read.
Powell also lines multiple passages one after the other on the pages which makes for a short book! It’s quite funny reading Sappho in this way but it makes it feel more leisurely.
I think that in the fun and ease we lose some of the gravitas of how amazing Sappho’s work is. How sad it is that we only have fragments, but I hope any reader of Sappho knows that they need to read multiple translations and even multiple copies of the original text to properly study her work.
With that in mind, I’m happy to have read this translation and encourage YOU to read more. :)
With any translation, it is customary to have the translator share their goals in their undertaking. Why should I read THIS translation? What should I keep in mind. Without that in place at the beginning of the book, I questioned whether Jim Powell even translated this work or just compiled a nice reading of other translations he edited to read smoothly.
That’s the thing though, these are still delightful to read. Some translations are so true to the fragments that exist that it can be difficult to flow through the lines or comprehend them. The translations in this book are quite fun and easy to read.
Powell also lines multiple passages one after the other on the pages which makes for a short book! It’s quite funny reading Sappho in this way but it makes it feel more leisurely.
I think that in the fun and ease we lose some of the gravitas of how amazing Sappho’s work is. How sad it is that we only have fragments, but I hope any reader of Sappho knows that they need to read multiple translations and even multiple copies of the original text to properly study her work.
With that in mind, I’m happy to have read this translation and encourage YOU to read more. :)
May 9, 2023
“As a sweet apple reddens / on a high branch // at the tip of the topmost bough / The apple-pickers missed it. // No, they didn’t miss it: / they couldn’t reach it” (27).
“but I’m not one of those with a resentful /temperament: I have a quiet heart” (30).
“I want to tell you something, and yet my shame prevents me … “ (34).
“Once I look at you for a moment, I can’t / speak any longer” (11).
“I don’t expect to touch the sky” (18).
“Never yet, … , have I found / anyone more vexing than you” (20).
“‘Honestly, I would like to die.’ / She was leaving me, saying goodbye, her cheeks // wet with tears, and she said to me: / ‘What cruel happiness, / Sappho, I swear that I will leave you against my will” (22).
“I think that someone will remember us in another time” (36).
“I don’t know what to do. I have two thoughts” (18).
“but I’m not one of those with a resentful /temperament: I have a quiet heart” (30).
“I want to tell you something, and yet my shame prevents me … “ (34).
“Once I look at you for a moment, I can’t / speak any longer” (11).
“I don’t expect to touch the sky” (18).
“Never yet, … , have I found / anyone more vexing than you” (20).
“‘Honestly, I would like to die.’ / She was leaving me, saying goodbye, her cheeks // wet with tears, and she said to me: / ‘What cruel happiness, / Sappho, I swear that I will leave you against my will” (22).
“I think that someone will remember us in another time” (36).
“I don’t know what to do. I have two thoughts” (18).
January 20, 2026
For around one thousand years, Sappho’s poetry was widely praised and cherished in the ancient world. Today, 2,600 years after she walked the earth, the fragments of her words that survive still captivate.
LP 110 and LP 111 are hyperbolic, humorous fragments of wedding songs. They offer a precious little glimpse into the atmosphere of ancient weddings — one that is full of celebration, teasing, and comical exaggeration meant to lighten the whole stuffy ritual. In LP110, the wedding is painted as SO grand that even the doorkeeper becomes a giant with boat-sized feet, or the groom is so tall and impressive that the roofbeams have to be lifted just to let him inside.
There’s something surprisingly modern about the tone (almost Beatles-esque).
There is also the aging poem that I found Tolkien-esque.
LP 110 and LP 111 are hyperbolic, humorous fragments of wedding songs. They offer a precious little glimpse into the atmosphere of ancient weddings — one that is full of celebration, teasing, and comical exaggeration meant to lighten the whole stuffy ritual. In LP110, the wedding is painted as SO grand that even the doorkeeper becomes a giant with boat-sized feet, or the groom is so tall and impressive that the roofbeams have to be lifted just to let him inside.
There’s something surprisingly modern about the tone (almost Beatles-esque).
There is also the aging poem that I found Tolkien-esque.
October 21, 2018
Lacks sufficient information on how this translation came to be (no introduction), poems are quite fragmented. Still, Sappho is a joy to read.
“But stand before me, if you are my friend,
and spread the grace that is in your eyes.” LP 138
"And it's easy to make this understood by
everyone, for she who surpassed all human
kind in beauty, Helen, abandoning her
husband - that best of
men - went sailing off to the shores of Troy and
never spent a thought on her child or loving
parents: when goddess seduced her wits and
left her to wander," LP 16
“But stand before me, if you are my friend,
and spread the grace that is in your eyes.” LP 138
"And it's easy to make this understood by
everyone, for she who surpassed all human
kind in beauty, Helen, abandoning her
husband - that best of
men - went sailing off to the shores of Troy and
never spent a thought on her child or loving
parents: when goddess seduced her wits and
left her to wander," LP 16
February 21, 2021
I don't read Sappho's Greek, and so I cannot judge the translation, but this is a handy pbk compendium, brought up to date with inclusion of recently discovered poems/fragments.
The notes are invariably helpful, with textual sources, a series of identifying notes, a brief "biography," and discussion of yje poetics. Jim Powell enjoys a good reputation as a poet and knows whereof he writes.
I'd say this is a first-rate introduction to a world famous poet, one who has a broad range of appeal.
The notes are invariably helpful, with textual sources, a series of identifying notes, a brief "biography," and discussion of yje poetics. Jim Powell enjoys a good reputation as a poet and knows whereof he writes.
I'd say this is a first-rate introduction to a world famous poet, one who has a broad range of appeal.
November 7, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
This work unfortunately falls victim to time, in that we currently only have fragments of many poems as opposed to the full text. While these fragments are of course no fault of the author or translator, they still make this work confusing to read and understand. I felt as if I was missing so much throughout the work and that Sapphos’ ideas would come through so much clearer if I had the full poem before me. The completed works however were beautiful and stunning to read. Her descriptions of love and intimacy became so personal and alive through her writing.
This work unfortunately falls victim to time, in that we currently only have fragments of many poems as opposed to the full text. While these fragments are of course no fault of the author or translator, they still make this work confusing to read and understand. I felt as if I was missing so much throughout the work and that Sapphos’ ideas would come through so much clearer if I had the full poem before me. The completed works however were beautiful and stunning to read. Her descriptions of love and intimacy became so personal and alive through her writing.
July 2, 2023
4.5 stars
better than anne carson’s imo. more poetic, less scattered
unfortunately I can’t speak much on the accuracy of the translation. having read multiple Sappho collections, this seems to have the standard amount of discrepancies between editions. however, there is one verse that seems glaringly mistranslated, the iconic fragment 102: “boy” instead of “youth”, and “weave my web” instead of just “weave” or “work the loom”
better than anne carson’s imo. more poetic, less scattered
unfortunately I can’t speak much on the accuracy of the translation. having read multiple Sappho collections, this seems to have the standard amount of discrepancies between editions. however, there is one verse that seems glaringly mistranslated, the iconic fragment 102: “boy” instead of “youth”, and “weave my web” instead of just “weave” or “work the loom”
January 11, 2021
Some of my favourite passages:
"since whomever
I do well by, they are the very ones who
injure me most of all."
[LP 26.2–4]
"As the stars surrounding the lovely moon will
hide away the splendor of their appearance
when in all her fullness she shines the brightest
over the whole earth"
[LP 34]
"May storm winds and worries bear off the man who
lectures my anguish"
[LP 37]
"since whomever
I do well by, they are the very ones who
injure me most of all."
[LP 26.2–4]
"As the stars surrounding the lovely moon will
hide away the splendor of their appearance
when in all her fullness she shines the brightest
over the whole earth"
[LP 34]
"May storm winds and worries bear off the man who
lectures my anguish"
[LP 37]
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews