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A Poem and a Translation by ProZ Members
Thread poster: Berni Armstrong
Berni Armstrong
Berni Armstrong  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 05:35
Member
English
+ ...
May 22, 2004

Hi all,

I discovered this little gem by Enrique Cavalletto (Two2Tango) tucked away on the Spanish Forum and liked it enough to want to get it out to a wider audience. So here -with Enrique's permission - is my humble attempt to translate his Spanish original. Hope you like it.

Greyness

Clamorous alarm
Rushed breakfast
Locking an empty flat.
Bus into town
Clock on
Nodded greetings.
Tidy desk,
Routine duties
... See more
Hi all,

I discovered this little gem by Enrique Cavalletto (Two2Tango) tucked away on the Spanish Forum and liked it enough to want to get it out to a wider audience. So here -with Enrique's permission - is my humble attempt to translate his Spanish original. Hope you like it.

Greyness

Clamorous alarm
Rushed breakfast
Locking an empty flat.
Bus into town
Clock on
Nodded greetings.
Tidy desk,
Routine duties
Coffee break alone.
New files
Clock off
Usual coffee bar
Cappuccino and cake
Evening paper
Bus home
Tidy up a bit
Modest dinner for one
Mindless programmes
Early to bed
Another routine day...

Been dead for years, really,
Just never noticed.

- Enrique Cavalletto – May 1st 2004
-------------------------
and the original:
--------------------------
Gris

Despertador estridente
Desayuno apurado
Cierra su departamento vacío.
Ómnibus al centro
Marca reloj al entrar
Saluda apenas.
Escritorio prolijo,
trabajo de rutina
Almuerzo solitario
Nuevas carpetas
Marca reloj al salir
El bar de siempre
Café y tostado
Diario vespertino
Ómnibus a casa
Somera limpieza
Televisión escapista
Cena sencilla para uno
Temprano a la cama
Otro día igual...

En realidad lleva años muerto
pero no se ha dado cuenta ▲ Collapse
 
Zhoudan
Zhoudan  Identity Verified
Local time: 11:35
English to Chinese
+ ...
Well said, and pretty sad. May 23, 2004

Berni Armstrong wrote:

Been dead for years, really,
Just never noticed.




 
Laura Gentili
Laura Gentili  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 05:35
Member (2003)
English to Italian
+ ...
Well said May 24, 2004

Let me add: this was also my life for many years before I got married and had my triplets. My trio has added a special taste to everyday's chores. Thank you both for reminding me of my previous life.
Laura
 
two2tango
two2tango  Identity Verified
Argentina
Local time: 00:35
Member
English to Spanish
+ ...
Great translation! May 24, 2004

This was part of the first Spanish forum contest of mini-literature (up to 70 words), where we received almost 50 contributions.
I feel honored by Berni´s apreciation and by his excellent translation.
Cheers,
Enrique
 
Berni Armstrong
Berni Armstrong  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 05:35
Member
English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Poems can be concrete objects too! May 24, 2004

Laura Gentili wrote:
Let me add: this was also my life for many years before I got married and had my triplets....Thank you both for reminding me of my previous life.


Triplets! My gosh - that is REAL work!

In the spirit of this poem, I have a rotor arm from an electric motor on my desk to remind me of the boring years I worked in industry re-wiring rotor arms.

Whenever I am tempted to think "life is crap" I look over at that paperweight and remember that back then life really was barely life at all!

We complain about our lonely jobs as translators - but how many would return to the alternative?

Cheers,

Berni
 
Aurélie DANIEL
Aurélie DANIEL  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 05:35
English to French
+ ...
Looove my job Jun 17, 2004

Berni Armstrong wrote:
We complain about our lonely jobs as translators - but how many would return to the alternative?


I wouldn't go back to the comfort, good salary and awful boredom and frustration of my former multinational company job for anything!

I am much too happy going frantic over deadlines, worrying about money, and learning everyday something new, using my head, and being my boss!

Aaaaah, freedom!)
 


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