If I knew Russian translation would become my language to say the words , psalms spoken still are the same in any language. To create a new meaning may be the way. I choose a click language to talk to dolphins 🐬 and flip the old tales told in a splash of glory. You will see sonorous songs do sing with a voice as yours a melodic sound rhythmic rhythm that flows in a strong stream of consciousness to a higher pitch that will make me stand up to respect every word you say.
You know, I read each day before I go to sleep. I picked "Pride and Prejudice" that I haul with me everywhere since we moved first, in great translation into Russian. It's my 'healing" book, I have a whole bunch of books I loosely call "healing". I re-read them when I'm sick.
I swear to you-first time in my life, and it feels like some sacrilege...first time in my life! I thought "oh. it lacks somehow, it's worse than original".
And it is an amazing translation.
I feel even worse knowing that I would never, ever be able to do something even as half as good.
PS now I'm scared to put "wrong" emojis because after watching "Adolescence" I realized they all have meanings sometimes ..oh wow, I had no idea, I thought a cigar is just a cigar, you know))
I might be late in answering some or will take me time, because we've to have guests which I didn't know when I posted. But I'll answer sooner or later
It's more of a statement. I like how you incorporate, is it Russian, in your post and that you at times have introduced Russian poetry to us and songs. Now the question. What does the Russian language and poetry give you and how does it inform you as a writer?
it shaped me I said simply. It's my mother tongue after all. It shaped me more than I probably will ever know myself
It has transformed with years into something awful (it was part of the post btw which I reducted...it was dedicated to my "poverty of speech") and it brings me both agony-and defiance, like if to return to what it was would be inauthenthic somehow?
Some things do not really depend on me though, it's truly neurons go badly/form different connections, at some point, when you don't constantly train something. It becomes hard to recover.
Oh. I'll try to make it less long -which brings me to the point. I'm very verbose. I wonder if it hasn't to do not with personality only, family etc, but with the language per se.
Also. Because I love poetry so and was introduced to it so early, and it was in Russian until certain age, including translations of course -it's a constant comparison with the greatest.
It's very hard to write fully realizing how much one lacks talent.
If one does I'd wager they still continue?
I did continue I just didn't show it, why should I show something that doesn't stand any chance?
Love the response. Meant to say the post you wrote for the first 90% or so reads like poetry to me. So when you say that you love poetry that’s what I was wondering about. There’s a dedication in the work you do, whether your written work or translations. Don’t doubt or question too much, keep writing and thank you for the spontaneous response.
Surprise has some value. Part of it may be because we come from such different childhoods and backgrounds. We both also go down the peculiar roads laid out in front of us to see where they will lead us. I am beginning to see now that there are a lot of common traits in creative people. I miss my mother most in these later years as she was an artist all her life and I only have just begun in these last 3-4 years. Up until 60 or 62 years old I just worked all the time as a carpenter.
I'm not sure what's duality?... I mean I know the word...but I know there are probably many versions of me, and I can't always predict which one'll appear...is this the context, or...?
I recently stumbled upon a video of one of my favorite comedians. He said that at the moment he was asking himself this question and found it pregnant with possibilities:
What would you do if you couldn't fail?
*The first few lines make me wanna recommend Erich Fromm's The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness.
Great post Chen. You've engaged so many with the raw hook in this piece. The honesty of your writing, sensitive, self aware, tender. For some reason the 'ask me anything', reminded me of 'Say Anything' track
With some connections there's no editing or censoring of oneself. We can be who we actually are, there's such ease and freedom in that. The safe place to be oneself.
I look forward to reading more of your interesting writing Chen. I'm slightly fascinated with people who can do translations and work multilingually as it's beyond my written abilities. Great to see you on that reading zoom recently. Look forward to reading more, Chen.
"'you were so beautiful I was scared to look at you' one boy told me once"
To this boy and to myself, and to all boys who feel or have felt this way, I wish for you to fight the fear and look...look. Don't miss the opportunity.
If I knew Russian translation would become my language to say the words , psalms spoken still are the same in any language. To create a new meaning may be the way. I choose a click language to talk to dolphins 🐬 and flip the old tales told in a splash of glory. You will see sonorous songs do sing with a voice as yours a melodic sound rhythmic rhythm that flows in a strong stream of consciousness to a higher pitch that will make me stand up to respect every word you say.
Thank you, dear Richard 🩵
You know, I read each day before I go to sleep. I picked "Pride and Prejudice" that I haul with me everywhere since we moved first, in great translation into Russian. It's my 'healing" book, I have a whole bunch of books I loosely call "healing". I re-read them when I'm sick.
I swear to you-first time in my life, and it feels like some sacrilege...first time in my life! I thought "oh. it lacks somehow, it's worse than original".
And it is an amazing translation.
I feel even worse knowing that I would never, ever be able to do something even as half as good.
You try. Because you are alive with a a pencil-pen. You share.
Beautifully said!
..Thank you so much for the restack, Pamela 🤍✨
Thank you so much for the restack, Brian O'Neil 💫
PS now I'm scared to put "wrong" emojis because after watching "Adolescence" I realized they all have meanings sometimes ..oh wow, I had no idea, I thought a cigar is just a cigar, you know))
You're brave doing an ask me anything! Is it on now?
yes of course
I might be late in answering some or will take me time, because we've to have guests which I didn't know when I posted. But I'll answer sooner or later
No worries! You answer when you can, it’s your post!
It's more of a statement. I like how you incorporate, is it Russian, in your post and that you at times have introduced Russian poetry to us and songs. Now the question. What does the Russian language and poetry give you and how does it inform you as a writer?
oh wow. it's both easy and hard to answer.
it shaped me I said simply. It's my mother tongue after all. It shaped me more than I probably will ever know myself
It has transformed with years into something awful (it was part of the post btw which I reducted...it was dedicated to my "poverty of speech") and it brings me both agony-and defiance, like if to return to what it was would be inauthenthic somehow?
Some things do not really depend on me though, it's truly neurons go badly/form different connections, at some point, when you don't constantly train something. It becomes hard to recover.
Oh. I'll try to make it less long -which brings me to the point. I'm very verbose. I wonder if it hasn't to do not with personality only, family etc, but with the language per se.
Also. Because I love poetry so and was introduced to it so early, and it was in Russian until certain age, including translations of course -it's a constant comparison with the greatest.
It's very hard to write fully realizing how much one lacks talent.
If one does I'd wager they still continue?
I did continue I just didn't show it, why should I show something that doesn't stand any chance?
Ok here goes promise to be brief))
Thank you-amazing question I'll continue to think
Love the response. Meant to say the post you wrote for the first 90% or so reads like poetry to me. So when you say that you love poetry that’s what I was wondering about. There’s a dedication in the work you do, whether your written work or translations. Don’t doubt or question too much, keep writing and thank you for the spontaneous response.
🩵
Always fascinating and surprising the directions you take. Thanks.
You always surprise me though
Thank you, Weston 🤍
Surprise has some value. Part of it may be because we come from such different childhoods and backgrounds. We both also go down the peculiar roads laid out in front of us to see where they will lead us. I am beginning to see now that there are a lot of common traits in creative people. I miss my mother most in these later years as she was an artist all her life and I only have just begun in these last 3-4 years. Up until 60 or 62 years old I just worked all the time as a carpenter.
A lot of value even
✨✨✨
If I can ask you anything, I would ask you to translate Dark Embrace, dear Chen.
Your wish is my command 🩵
PS I also kinda wanted to)))
But wait until I post this "Second Lament" take 2, I'm working on it each day to no avail-maybe you'll hate me
I’m happy to read this note, Chen. Take your time and please now I will not hate your work at all—ever!
I hope so, dear Paul -thank you🪄
oh big thank you for the restack
🪄
Happy to do it, Chen!
You write beautifully. But there is constant duality in your prose and sometimes in your poetry. Is it intentional if I can ask you anything?
You can ask anything ❤️
I'm not sure what's duality?... I mean I know the word...but I know there are probably many versions of me, and I can't always predict which one'll appear...is this the context, or...?
I recently stumbled upon a video of one of my favorite comedians. He said that at the moment he was asking himself this question and found it pregnant with possibilities:
What would you do if you couldn't fail?
*The first few lines make me wanna recommend Erich Fromm's The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness.
Sending you love, Dear Chen
I'll ponder it -new question, for sure.
Scary thought somehow))
That's because I took it as some maxima I guess-what I'd do if I couldn't fail in a n y t h i n g.
While the question is probably about one thing... right? OK or maybe a few.
Sorry I woke up in the midle of the night kinda sick and dense, not that I'm so much sharper in the mornings. I'll need to think. Great question
Off the top of my head though- I'd fly, sing, and um...perform miracles. Lol.
Will continue to think. 💫
Thank you, dear Mahdi
🩵
and big thank you for sharing this
Ask me anything, you say. And the mention of my name makes me blush and shy away.
I'll come back. Count on that! 🖤
I will
thank you so much, Fotini!
and the image of a bear with a beard didn't leave me as you can see
❤️
I haven’t missed that :)
Thank you for the restack, @Pastor Fellah Okworo
Great post Chen. You've engaged so many with the raw hook in this piece. The honesty of your writing, sensitive, self aware, tender. For some reason the 'ask me anything', reminded me of 'Say Anything' track
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfRpWHkhFSg
With some connections there's no editing or censoring of oneself. We can be who we actually are, there's such ease and freedom in that. The safe place to be oneself.
I look forward to reading more of your interesting writing Chen. I'm slightly fascinated with people who can do translations and work multilingually as it's beyond my written abilities. Great to see you on that reading zoom recently. Look forward to reading more, Chen.
Thank you so much Síodha...I hardly can express what it means to me.
I give up attempts at trying even. I don't...I don't do great, lately
Mornings are my time usually; yet they're dark now too. Thank you many times.
The song is very beautiful
🤍
So glad Chen!
"'you were so beautiful I was scared to look at you' one boy told me once"
To this boy and to myself, and to all boys who feel or have felt this way, I wish for you to fight the fear and look...look. Don't miss the opportunity.
Thank you, Jed
I'm...
ah, bad with words today.
Thank you ✨
Bad with words means good with feeling. Cheers Chen.
no)) but you did make me smile -thank you so much Jed. Cheers