Sappho 94, trans. Rebekah Cranes

 Sappho 94 

trans. Rebekah Cranes

“Really, I’d rather be dead.” 

She left me crying 

and through many tears said,  

“Oh,  

Sappho, it’s all turned out so badly  

for us. I promise I don’t  

want to go.” 

I answered, saying, “Goodbye. Go.  

But remember me. You know how I  

have cherished you. 

Remember all the beautiful  

times  

we shared:  

Together, beside me, 

you wove through your hair 

many crowns of violets 

and roses, 

and put around your tender neck 

many garlands woven 

of blossoms, 

and anointed your breasts 

with perfume sweet  

and flowery, 

and on soft beds  

gave way to delicate 

longing. 

There wasn’t a single  

shrine 

we didn’t visit, 

not a grove, 

 a dance 

 a sound