I Am Here Comments

Distance doesn't matter except the lack of touch.

I've translated about a dozen of Louise Labe's poems. I have a book of her complete works which includes amongst other things a short play and her licence of copyright given to her by the French King, Henri deux. She was held in high regard by the poets of the Lyon School. She was a wealthy woman but very generous to the poor. Her direct style made her one of the flowers of the Renaissance.

That's very kind of you. Sadly my wife passed away earlier this month but she will always remain with me.

It is really heartbreaking to hear the sad news.May God bless her soul.She will always remain in your beautiful poems.

Thank you, Julie. I've had a great time reading your beautiful poems today. You are definitely on my to read list

always nervous on springboards! Tried to avoid diving. Belly-flops usually and very noisy! I think Louise did a lot of ducking and diving while her husband wasn't watching!

Sorry about the delay in replying. We don't seem to be getting notifications. Love your comments. Don't think I've read any of yours yet. Will have to correct that right now!

Thanks Sriranji. It's one of my own favourites. It took about 10 minutes to write. Came out in one easy flow. Not often that happens, is it? Tom

Thanks Ludolf it's one I actually like myself! I think I wrote it in about 10 minutes. Tom

Thank you for your comments. Louise has been working me real hard. I had some of her poems before but my rascally daughter bought me that great poet's complete works for my birthday last months. I.ve translated five Sonnets and the first 12 lines of a Elegy and a part of the Discources. She and Maurice Sceve and Clement Marot made a formidable team for Lyons! As for the troubladors, my Provencal has gone but there are three lines from Foulquet of Marseilles which illustrate your point.. Ligur aoide... si n'ous vei, dompna d'ont plus mi cal... Negus Vezur mon bel pensar no val. Ezra Pound translated this as light breeze, if I see you not, lady I value the most, No sight is worth even the thought of you. Usually said at a distance as you observed. The tradition often included changing the Lady's name. It was poets like Louise who broke through at the Renaissance writing directly about their feelingsing and the poetry of Sceve and herself sound surprisingly modern like a Robert Lowell or Sylvia Plath and other great Americans. We're trying to catch up! Nice to hear from you again Daniel. Tom

hi Pamela I have submitted four of Louise Labe's Sonnets plus the the first twelve lines of one of her three Elegies, She lived in the first half of the 16th Century in Lyons and was one of three great poets based there. The other two are Clement Marot and Maurice Sceve. I have her complete works and am aiming to translate the lot (including 24 Sonnets) a series of Discourses between the Gods (Roman) and a very interesting Copyright licence issued by the French King Henry 2nd. In recent years interest in her has been revived and her brave stance on female sexuality is very modern. The line quoted is in one of the sonnets I've translated. I think it's no 18. My poem came out in a few minutes without correction. It's one of my own favourites as it happens. Thank you for your comments

Thank you, Shrutika. I think I've read one or two of your poems. i'll check. So expect a comment or two very soon. It's about 4pm GMT here in England. Nice to hear from you. Tom

Thank you, Michaela. I read your latest poem this morning and if I could write half as well as you I'd be well pleased. I've got a business day today but I'll catch up on some of your other poems this evening or tomorrow. Tom Billsborough

Thank you, Norah. I have now read six of your poems and think you're a marvellous poet. As for Irish and Americans, don't forget Heany & Yeats. Mind you Eliot, Robert Lowell, Emily Dickenson, and Sylvia Plath make a formidable array too. I very such like Wallace Stevens and Anne Sexton too. Many regards Tom Billsborough

I was inspired by the Great French Renaissance poet, Louise Labe, a leader of a group of poets based in Lyons. In fact I have submitted a translation of her poem Baise m'encor (Kiss me again) in Poem Hunter a day or two ago. The line quoted before the start of I am here is translated Each lives in the self and the beloved other. Women poets have been devalued throughout history and yet I find women can express their emotions more succintlly and with greater depth than men. Sappho delights me, Christin de Pisan enchants me, and Sylvia Plath stuns me especially with her poem Daddy. What would we do without you girls! Regards Tom Billsborough

Thank you, Kelly. You will get there. We all want to reach for the stars. Tom Billsborough

Sorry I missed replying to your comments. You're a star. tom Billsborough