Monday, February 6, 2012

434 I may seem mad (Poems of Exile)

a grave at the Novodevichy Cemetery, Moscow, courtesy of Tess at The Mag



434      I may seem mad



I may seem mad to you, but I say this for myself:

I would not be seen as mad; but why am I seen thus?

You say, Because you are always loved, because you are always in love.

And I say, If this is madness, may the gods keep me mad forever!




Translated in my own fashion, from the Latin of Seneca or pseudo-Seneca, and encouraged by Tess at The Mag.  Many more inscriptions can be found here.

x

23 comments:

Elisabeth said...

May the gods keep us all forever mad, Isabel, if Seneca is to be believed.

anthonynorth said...

Love that last line.

Kay said...

mmmm...madness and love..bread and butter for poets....loved your piece..x

rel said...

True; love is madness.
May madness reighn forever!
rel

Laurie Kolp said...

Wow- I really like this, Isabel.

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed your response to this weeks mag

izzy said...

Mad- crazy mad I feel, to choose a red wedge over the flowers she has dropped! Thanks.

Suz said...

dropped flowers
now there's an image
wonderful magpie

Brian Miller said...

yes love is a bit of madness....and i have been touched...but i would have it no other way...smile.s

Tess Kincaid said...

Love is indeed madness...

ninotaziz said...

Lovely! Like Brian, I too have been touched by this madness, and have been thus spoilt forever.

Maggie said...

Only the mad ones are interesting, so they say.

Love this.

Wayne Pitchko said...

nicely done....thanks for sharing this

Cad said...

I'll say 'Hear, hear' to that plea!

Helen said...

Madly in love is a place I've ventured a few times ... nicely written.

Susan Anderson said...

Let the madness reign!

;)

Unknown said...

Joyful assertiveness..... a refreshing outlook. Thank you for sharing your poem, Isabel

Dave King said...

Amen to that!

Doc FTSE said...

Ah, the madness of love, and lovers.

Helena said...

Eternal madness and love.......! Yup. Do me just dandy!

jabblog said...

It seems the onlookers are envious . . .

hyperCRYPTICal said...

The madness of love is wonderful!

Anna :o]

Linda Ashok said...

madness on a dew line trickle from my being