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poder ter não sei o quê do voo suave

English translation: (be able to ) have something (unknown) of that gentle / graceful flight

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Portuguese term or phrase:poder ter não sei o quê do voo suave
English translation:(be able to ) have something (unknown) of that gentle / graceful flight
Entered by: Oliver Simões

11:26 Jan 11, 2019
Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / Fernando Pessoa
Portuguese term or phrase: poder ter não sei o quê do voo suave
I'm looking for en equivalent that sounds poetic and blends in well with the other lines. Thank you.

"Por que ter asas simboliza
A liberdade
Que a vida nega e a alma precisa?
Sei que me invade

Um horror de me ter que cobre
Como uma cheia
Meu coração, e entorna sobre
Minh'alma alheia
Um desejo, não de ser ave,
Mas de poder
Ter não sei quê do vôo suave
Dentro em meu ser. " -- Fernando Pessoa
Oliver Simões
United States
Local time: 06:13
to have something of that graceful flight
Explanation:
...
Selected response from:

Katarina Peters
Canada
Local time: 09:13
Grading comment
Thank you, Katarina. I used your answer in part.
2 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +1to have whatever it takes for (a) smooth flying (flight)
Verginia Ophof
4to have something of that graceful flight
Katarina Peters


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


21 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
to have whatever it takes for (a) smooth flying (flight)


Explanation:
suggestion

Verginia Ophof
Belize
Local time: 07:13
Meets criteria
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 87

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Clauwolf
19 mins
  -> Thank you Clauwolf !!
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
to have something of that graceful flight


Explanation:
...

Katarina Peters
Canada
Local time: 09:13
Meets criteria
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in HungarianHungarian, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 76
Grading comment
Thank you, Katarina. I used your answer in part.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Katarina. Your suggestion is more or less in line with what I had in mind. I thought of adding "unknown" to convey the meaning of "não sei" (i.e. something unknown). What do you think? It seems like he admires something about the bird's flight that he can't put his fingers on, hence the use of "unknown". As much as I like "graceful", I'll probable go with 'gentle" since it's shorter. I found a source that sort of validates my choice (I'll post it in the Discussion Board).

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