The Yale Anthology of Twentieth-Century French Poetry

Lorand Gaspar 1925–

eastern transylvania (in marovásárhely,

now tirgu-mures, romania)

G

aspar is a doctor as well as a translator, photographer, and travel

writer. In 1943 he began university studies in Budapest but was de-

ported to a German labor camp in 1944 during the Nazi occupation of

Hungary. He escaped in 1945 and surrendered to a French military unit in

Pfullendorf, Germany. After moving to France, he became a surgeon and worked

in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Tunisia. In 1966 he began publishing his poetry.

Gaspar has translated works by Rainier Maria Rilke, Georges Séféris, János Pil-

inszky, and D. H. Lawrence. Principal works: Le Quatrième État de la matière,

1966; Gisements, 1968; Sol absolu, 1972; Approche de la parole, 1978; Corps corrosifs,

1978; Égée, Judée, 1980; Feuilles d’observation, 1986; La Maison près de la mer, 1992;

Amandiers, 1996.

Flute Player

Flute player, I’ve roamed so far in shadowed lands
and I do not know your face.
The liquid ringing of the herd’s bells
all this open sea at evening that comes over the pebbles
scales and fractures of an ancient memory
far-o√ disasters, imminent departures
why these grape bunches now so light
and I listen leaning against a very pale sky
to the dead who knew all the sounds of the air
so many cog-wheels that transparency drives
and in my mouth I feel the red teeth of the soul

whirlwind of dance, whistling of wing

carrier of life and wanderings

you the Rule, you the Error,

the just tension of tears,

the tart taste of my burnt tongue

—ronnie scharfman