Translation experiment: An Urban Evening, by Natan Alterman

this is another experiment in translation. the poem , called "Urban evening" is written by Israeli poet Natan Alterman. it is very difficult, or even to convay all the nuances of the poem, along with a rhyming scheme, and so the translation lacks rhyming, in favor of retaining other aspects.

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A sunset of rose, between the roofs

the blue asphalt below

to the evening, mournful women's eyes ask,

why have you come?

The lanterns, the blossom of the city

bloom in fragrant light,

electric spring, bright melancholia,

musn't escape its stupor.

Only an orphan, an innocent

born for a moment, then gone.

Between the nights and the days,

come to brighten our eyes.

Between the days and the nights,

to blue gazing ranges we shall

lead our worn souls

to graze on the meadow.

A farewell wave, trusting girl,

her smile, carried the vehicle,

what was and wasn't

seems to yet be.

I wish to recall

my thought, and she is startled,

faces of women float in the light,

their feet soak in the azure.

lighter on my right,

my yearning heart , the left,

prepared to trust,

all man , but myself.

i am now-one, silently observing how,

the moon' breast undone, of the contrary wall.

body's diminish, but head so high, untill

even if i left,

i shall not see the destination.

a sunset of rose on the streetcurb

the street as a tunnel of

blue. whomever reaches the end,

shall want to weep of purpose.

a sunset of rose, between the roofs

the blue asphalt below

to the evening, mournful women's eyes ask,

why have you come?