The following discusses two poems and an artist statement, translated from their original English into Spanish. These pieces, titled "Water in Love" by Ed Bok Lee, "Mapping of Female Ejaculation" by Cymelle Edwards, and Matthew Klane’s “Artist Statement,” delve into themes of love, artistic expression, and passion, employing a variety of metaphors to represent complex notions. Each poet presents a singular perspective on the theme of passion, illustrating it through imaginative and diverse interpretations, including the qualities of water, self-exploration and artistic representation. The result is a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences, woven together to create a deeper understanding of this complex and universal emotion. While translating these pieces, there was always an implicit awareness to maintain the emotional and thematic resonances of the poems.
The first two poems delve into themes of intimacy and self-discovery through vivid and imaginative metaphors. Ed Bok Lee compares love to the properties of water, such as its ability to dissolve and outlive. He writes: "stone washer and mountain dissolver that will outlive us, even in the memory of all any eyes touched." This conveys the ever-present and transformative power of love within the self. Translating the specific line "Lavapiedras disolvente de montañas que vivirá más que nosotros, incluso más que la memoria de todo lo que tocaron los ojos" proved to be challenging as finding the exact translation for “stone-washer” in Spanish was difficult. I chose to capture the essence of the name with “lavapiedras disolvente de montañas,” as it presents the core ideas and emotions conveyed in the original poem. While the exact term might not have a direct equivalent in Spanish, the translated line still communicates the key concepts of dissolution, transformation and enduring the nature of love.
The second poem, “Mapping of Female Ejaculation,” charts a journey of self-discovery, using sensory imagery to depict the unraveling of the self. This is evident when Edwards writes, “oxygen starved tour of silky chrysalis—come undone in morning biopsy.” The metaphor of a chrysalis, symbolizing metamorphosis, illustrates the process of transformation from disintegration to rebirth. Vivid language and sensory details in the poem create an immersive experience for the readers. The phrase “oxygen starved” conveys vulnerability and struggle, while “morning biopsy” implies deep introspection and self-examination during the transformation process. The Spanish translation, “recorrido sin oxígeno en crisálida de seda—,” captures the essence of the original English line, preserving its core idea and emotion but finding the right words to convey the precise meaning, as well as the evocative imagery. Idiomatic expressions, metaphors and symbolic language often rely on cultural context, so I made an effort to preserve the original meanings with the equivalent emotional depth. “Recorrido sin oxígeno” effectively expresses deprivation and struggle, while “crisálida de seda” maintains the imagery of the chrysalis as a symbol of transformation. The additional line, “desatándose en la biopsia matutina,” expands on the metaphor, emphasizing the unfolding or unraveling of the self. This phrase evokes a sense of introspection and self-examination, as one delves deeper into their psyche to discover the changes occurring within.
The references to nature, seen in “but you are waterthrush, terrestrial— / once a tadpole and amphibious” and in “warmth rises vernal equinox…” suggest a connection to the cycle of life and growth and captivated me with their imaginative and evocative diction. The two poems present a reflective and imaginative examination of love and personal growth through the use of vivid metaphors. They provide a sensational experience for the reader by exploring these themes in a poetic and imaginative way.
Matthew Klane identifies himself as a poet in his artist statement and utilizes metaphor to introduce his artwork and creative process. He explains that “appropriation and collage” are his primary mode of creative expression. Klane’s poetic interests also lean towards the visual arts, including typography, page-space, and minimalism. His collages, created through a daily practice of using junk mail, are a result of his attention to the unique markings and words found on the paper. In a way, his work mirrors the process of translation, where a translator sifts through the raw material of language, piecing together fragments to create a cohesive whole. The art of translation, much like collage, is an intricate dance of deconstruction and reconstruction. For instance, in the translation of this artist statement, I carefully selected and weaved together words and phrases, trying to capture the essence of the original text while giving it a new life. In both collage and translation, the beauty lies in the ability to transform existing materials into a fresh and resonant work of art. This can also be seen when he instructs; “Use only what falls through the mail slot. Be attentive to the rips and stains and bruises the paper incurred in its travels.” This selection of four collages showcases a range of aesthetic and tonal elements from his larger collection.
Translating these pieces into Spanish presented several challenges, including the need for the preservation of the central metaphors and maintaining their unique style. The use of metaphor was particularly important as it plays a central role in conveying the meaning and impact of the original poems. To accurately translate these works, it was crucial to ensure that the metaphors were not diminished and that their impact remained intact.
Despite the challenges translating these poems, I firmly believe that introducing them to a new audience holds great value. It was an opportunity to broaden their reach and bring their message to a new group of people. The themes of love, self-discovery and creation explored in the poems are universal, and by making them accessible to Spanish-speaking audiences, they have the potential to inspire and touch even more people as they bring new perspectives and appreciation to the poem. I am confident that a well-executed translation will foster newfound appreciation and understanding for these pieces among a broader audience.
About the Translator
Giannina Masías is from Lima, Perú, and has been residing in the United States for over a decade. Currently, she is entering her second year of postgraduate studies in the Spanish Linguistics program at Arizona State University's School of International Letters and Cultures.
With a great passion for languages and travel, Giannina has journeyed across 16 countries throughout South, Central, and North America. Her extensive travels have not only broadened her horizons but also enriched her understanding of diverse cultures. This invaluable experience has, in turn, significantly enhanced her ability to adeptly translate and interpret the intricate nuances embedded within various cultural contexts, adding depth and authenticity to her work. (updated 2023)
Translations
"Water in Love" by Ed Bok Lee (Spanish)
"Mapping of Female Ejaculation" by Cymelle Leah Edwards (Spanish)
“Artist Statement” by Matthew Klane (Spanish)
With grateful acknowledgment to Spanish Language reviewers: Daniela Gallardo & Belén Agustina Sánchez