The (im)possibilitiesof translating Vallejo’s poetry:the case of Trilce’s poem XXV

Valentino Gianuzzi

XXV Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas. Al rebufar el socaire de cada caraveladeshilada sin ameracanizar,ceden las estevas en espasmo de infortunio,con pulso párvulo mal habituadoa sonarse en el dorso de la muñeca.Y la más aguda tiplisonanciase tonsura y apeálase, y largamentese ennazala hacia carámbanosde lástima infinita. Soberbios lomos resoplanal portar, pendientes de mustios petrales,las escarapelas con sus siete coloresbajo cero, desde las islas guanerashasta las islas guaneras.Tal los escarzos a la intemperie de pobrefe.Tal el tiempo de las rondas. Tal el del rodeopara los planos futuros,cuando innánima grifalda relata sólofallidas callandas cruzadas. Vienen entonces alfiles a adherirsehasta en las puertas falsas y en los borradores.

XXV Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas. Al rebufar el socaire de cada caraveladeshilada sin ameracanizar,ceden las estevas en espasmo de infortunio,con pulso párvulo mal habituadoa sonarse en el dorso de la muñeca.Y la más aguda tiplisonanciase tonsura y apeálase, y largamentese ennazala hacia carámbanosde lástima infinita. Soberbios lomos resoplanal portar, pendientes de mustios petrales,las escarapelas con sus siete coloresbajo cero, desde las islas guanerashasta las islas guaneras.Tal los escarzos a la intemperie de pobrefe.Tal el tiempo de las rondas. Tal el del rodeopara los planos futuros,cuando innánima grifalda relata sólofallidas callandas cruzadas. Vienen entonces alfiles a adherirsehasta en las puertas falsas y en los borradores.

XXV Chessbishops shy to adhereto the juncture, to the bottom, to the Crown,to the underside of the numerators on foot.Chessbishops and hotbeds of tiny lupines. When the lee of each caravel recoils,unraveled without americanazing, they yieldthe plough handles with spasms of misfortune,with puny pulse ill-accustomedto blowing their noses on the backs of their wrists.and the most acute treblesonancegets tonsured and down, and fullyinnazalates towards the iciclesof infinite pity.

Splendid backs are snortingwhile bearing, hanging from musty breast-straps,the silken badges with their seven colorsunder zero, going from the guano islandsto the guano islands.So much for the sores of the foul weather of poorfaith.So much for the time of the rounds. So muchfor the rodeo for future plans,when inanimate italics relate solelydisappointed tiptoed crusades. They come then chessbishops to adhereeven to the false doors and the scratchpads.

XXV Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas. Al rebufar el socaire de cada caraveladeshilada sin ameracanizar,ceden las estevas en espasmo de infortunio,con pulso párvulo mal habituadoa sonarse en el dorso de la muñeca.Y la más aguda tiplisonanciase tonsura y apeálase, y largamentese ennazala hacia carámbanosde lástima infinita. Soberbios lomos resoplanal portar, pendientes de mustios petrales,las escarapelas con sus siete coloresbajo cero, desde las islas guanerashasta las islas guaneras.Tal los escarzos a la intemperie de pobrefe.Tal el tiempo de las rondas. Tal el del rodeopara los planos futuros,cuando innánima grifalda relata sólofallidas callandas cruzadas. Vienen entonces alfiles a adherirsehasta en las puertas falsas y en los borradores.

XXV Chessbishops shy to adhereto the juncture, to the bottom, to the Crown,to the underside of the numerators on foot.Chessbishops and hotbeds of tiny lupines. When the lee of each caravel recoils,unraveled without americanazing, they yieldthe plough handles with spasms of misfortune,with puny pulse ill-accustomedto blowing their noses on the backs of their wrists.and the most acute treblesonancegets tonsured and down, and fullyinnazalates towards the iciclesof infinite pity.

Splendid backs are snortingwhile bearing, hanging from musty breast-straps,the silken badges with their seven colorsunder zero, going from the guano islandsto the guano islands.So much for the sores of the foul weather of poorfaith.So much for the time of the rounds. So muchfor the rodeo for future plans,when inanimate italics relate solelydisappointed tiptoed crusades. They come then chessbishops to adhereeven to the false doors and the scratchpads.

XXV Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas. Al rebufar el socaire de cada caraveladeshilada sin ameracanizar,ceden las estevas en espasmo de infortunio,con pulso párvulo mal habituadoa sonarse en el dorso de la muñeca.Y la más aguda tiplisonanciase tonsura y apeálase, y largamentese ennazala hacia carámbanosde lástima infinita. Soberbios lomos resoplanal portar, pendientes de mustios petrales,las escarapelas con sus siete coloresbajo cero, desde las islas guanerashasta las islas guaneras.Tal los escarzos a la intemperie de pobrefe.Tal el tiempo de las rondas. Tal el del rodeopara los planos futuros,cuando innánima grifalda relata sólofallidas callandas cruzadas. Vienen entonces alfiles a adherirsehasta en las puertas falsas y en los borradores.

XXV Chessbishops shy to adhereto the juncture, to the bottom, to the Crown,to the underside of the numerators on foot.Chessbishops and hotbeds of tiny lupines. When the lee of each caravel recoils,unraveled without americanazing, they yieldthe plough handles with spasms of misfortune,with puny pulse ill-accustomedto blowing their noses on the backs of their wrists.and the most acute treblesonancegets tonsured and down, and fullyinnazalates towards the iciclesof infinite pity.

Splendid backs are snortingwhile bearing, hanging from musty breast-straps,the silken badges with their seven colorsunder zero, going from the guano islandsto the guano islands.So much for the sores of the foul weather of poorfaith.So much for the time of the rounds. So muchfor the rodeo for future plans,when inanimate italics relate solelydisappointed tiptoed crusades. They come then chessbishops to adhereeven to the false doors and the scratchpads.

Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas.

Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas.

[1]

Chess bishops upthrust to stickto lute, down deep, to napes,to upright numerators’ undersides.From lupine corn heaps bishops and grain. 

Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas.

[1]

Chess bishops upthrust to stickto lute, down deep, to napes,to upright numerators’ undersides.From lupine corn heaps bishops and grain. 

[2]

Alfins rear up and adhereto the junctures, at the bottom, to the horse heads,to the underside of the standing numerators.Alfins and filaments of wolfish heaps of grain.

Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas.

[1]

Chess bishops upthrust to stickto lute, down deep, to napes,to upright numerators’ undersides.From lupine corn heaps bishops and grain. 

[2]

Alfins rear up and adhereto the junctures, at the bottom, to the horse heads,to the underside of the standing numerators.Alfins and filaments of wolfish heaps of grain.

[3]

Fly out geraniaceae seed over-sown to affiliateto the junctures, to the foundation, to the crown of the head,to the square-hewn stone base of the numerators on foot.Geraniaceae and prickly burweed of lupine multitudes.

 

Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas.

[1]

Chess bishops upthrust to stickto lute, down deep, to napes,to upright numerators’ undersides.From lupine corn heaps bishops and grain. 

[2]

Alfins rear up and adhereto the junctures, at the bottom, to the horse heads,to the underside of the standing numerators.Alfins and filaments of wolfish heaps of grain.

[3]

Fly out geraniaceae seed over-sown to affiliateto the junctures, to the foundation, to the crown of the head,to the square-hewn stone base of the numerators on foot.Geraniaceae and prickly burweed of lupine multitudes.

[4]

Chessbishops shy to adhereto the juncture, to the bottom, to the crown,to the underside of the numerators on foot.Chessbishops and hotbeds of tiny lupines. 

 

Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas.

[1]

Chess bishops upthrust to stickto lute, down deep, to napes,to upright numerators’ undersides.From lupine corn heaps bishops and grain. 

[2]

Alfins rear up and adhereto the junctures, at the bottom, to the horse heads,to the underside of the standing numerators.Alfins and filaments of wolfish heaps of grain.

[3]

Fly out geraniaceae seed over-sown to affiliateto the junctures, to the foundation, to the crown of the head,to the square-hewn stone base of the numerators on foot.Geraniaceae and prickly burweed of lupine multitudes.

[4]

Chessbishops shy to adhereto the juncture, to the bottom, to the crown,to the underside of the numerators on foot.Chessbishops and hotbeds of tiny lupines. 

[5]

Thrips uprear to adhereto joints, to the base, to napes,to the underface of numerators on foot.Thrips and thrums from lupine heaps.

 

Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas.

[1]

Chess bishops upthrust to stickto lute, down deep, to napes,to upright numerators’ undersides.From lupine corn heaps bishops and grain. 

[2]

Alfins rear up and adhereto the junctures, at the bottom, to the horse heads,to the underside of the standing numerators.Alfins and filaments of wolfish heaps of grain.

[3]

Fly out geraniaceae seed over-sown to affiliateto the junctures, to the foundation, to the crown of the head,to the square-hewn stone base of the numerators on foot.Geraniaceae and prickly burweed of lupine multitudes.

[4]

Chessbishops shy to adhereto the juncture, to the bottom, to the crown,to the underside of the numerators on foot.Chessbishops and hotbeds of tiny lupines. 

[5]

Thrips uprear to adhereto joints, to the base, to napes,to the underface of numerators on foot.Thrips and thrums from lupine heaps.

[6]

Omens leap up to grapplethe joints, the base, the brow,the under-face of walking numerators.Omens and warp-ends of lupine lumps.

 

Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas.

[1]

Chess bishops upthrust to stickto lute, down deep, to napes,to upright numerators’ undersides.From lupine corn heaps bishops and grain. 

[2]

Alfins rear up and adhereto the junctures, at the bottom, to the horse heads,to the underside of the standing numerators.Alfins and filaments of wolfish heaps of grain.

[3]

Fly out geraniaceae seed over-sown to affiliateto the junctures, to the foundation, to the crown of the head,to the square-hewn stone base of the numerators on foot.Geraniaceae and prickly burweed of lupine multitudes.

[4]

Chessbishops shy to adhereto the juncture, to the bottom, to the crown,to the underside of the numerators on foot.Chessbishops and hotbeds of tiny lupines. 

[5]

Thrips uprear to adhereto joints, to the base, to napes,to the underface of numerators on foot.Thrips and thrums from lupine heaps.

[6]

Omens leap up to grapplethe joints, the base, the brow,the under-face of walking numerators.Omens and warp-ends of lupine lumps.

[7]

Bishops arise to adhere tothe joints, the depths, the crowns,the underbed of numerators on foot.Bishops and cockleburs of wolfish harvests.

 

Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas.

[1]

Chess bishops upthrust to stickto lute, down deep, to napes,to upright numerators’ undersides.From lupine corn heaps bishops and grain. 

[2]

Alfins rear up and adhereto the junctures, at the bottom, to the horse heads,to the underside of the standing numerators.Alfins and filaments of wolfish heaps of grain.

[3]

Fly out geraniaceae seed over-sown to affiliateto the junctures, to the foundation, to the crown of the head,to the square-hewn stone base of the numerators on foot.Geraniaceae and prickly burweed of lupine multitudes.

[4]

Chessbishops shy to adhereto the juncture, to the bottom, to the crown,to the underside of the numerators on foot.Chessbishops and hotbeds of tiny lupines. 

[5]

Thrips uprear to adhereto joints, to the base, to napes,to the underface of numerators on foot.Thrips and thrums from lupine heaps.

[6]

Omens leap up to grapplethe joints, the base, the brow,the under-face of walking numerators.Omens and warp-ends of lupine lumps.

[7]

Bishops arise to adhere tothe joints, the depths, the crowns,the underbed of numerators on foot.Bishops and cockleburs of wolfish harvests.

 

Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas.

[1]

Chess bishops upthrust to stickto lute, down deep, to napes,to upright numerators’ undersides.From lupine corn heaps bishops and grain. 

[2]

Alfins rear up and adhereto the junctures, at the bottom, to the horse heads,to the underside of the standing numerators.Alfins and filaments of wolfish heaps of grain.

[3]

Fly out geraniaceae seed over-sown to affiliateto the junctures, to the foundation, to the crown of the head,to the square-hewn stone base of the numerators on foot.Geraniaceae and prickly burweed of lupine multitudes.

[4]

Chessbishops shy to adhereto the juncture, to the bottom, to the crown,to the underside of the numerators on foot.Chessbishops and hotbeds of tiny lupines. 

[5]

Thrips uprear to adhereto joints, to the base, to napes,to the underface of numerators on foot.Thrips and thrums from lupine heaps.

[6]

Omens leap up to grapplethe joints, the base, the brow,the under-face of walking numerators.Omens and warp-ends of lupine lumps.

[7]

Bishops arise to adhere tothe joints, the depths, the crowns,the underbed of numerators on foot.Bishops and cockleburs of wolfish harvests.

 

Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas.

[1]

Chess bishops upthrust to stickto lute, down deep, to napes,to upright numerators’ undersides.From lupine corn heaps bishops and grain. 

[2]

Alfins rear up and adhereto the junctures, at the bottom, to the horse heads,to the underside of the standing numerators.Alfins and filaments of wolfish heaps of grain.

[3]

Fly out geraniaceae seed over-sown to affiliateto the junctures, to the foundation, to the crown of the head,to the square-hewn stone base of the numerators on foot.Geraniaceae and prickly burweed of lupine multitudes.

[4]

Chessbishops shy to adhereto the juncture, to the bottom, to the crown,to the underside of the numerators on foot.Chessbishops and hotbeds of tiny lupines. 

[5]

Thrips uprear to adhereto joints, to the base, to napes,to the underface of numerators on foot.Thrips and thrums from lupine heaps.

[6]

Omens leap up to grapplethe joints, the base, the brow,the under-face of walking numerators.Omens and warp-ends of lupine lumps.

[7]

Bishops arise to adhere tothe joints, the depths, the crowns,the underbed of numerators on foot.Bishops and cockleburs of wolfish harvests.

 

Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas.

[Joseph Mulligan]

Chess bishops upthrust to stickto lute, down deep, to napes,to upright numerators’ undersides.From lupine corn heaps bishops and grain. 

[William Rowe]

Alfins rear up and adhereto the junctures, at the bottom, to the horse heads,to the underside of the standing numerators.Alfins and filaments of wolfish heaps of grain.

[Prospero Saiz]

Fly out geraniaceae seed over-sown to affiliateto the junctures, to the foundation, to the crown of the head,to the square-hewn stone base of the numerators on foot.Geraniaceae and prickly burweed of lupine multitudes.

[David Smith]

Chessbishops shy to adhereto the juncture, to the bottom, to the crown,to the underside of the numerators on foot.Chessbishops and hotbeds of tiny lupines. 

[Clayton Eshleman]

Thrips uprear to adhereto joints, to the base, to napes,to the underface of numerators on foot.Thrips and thrums from lupine heaps.

[Smith & Gianuzzi]

Omens leap up to grapplethe joints, the base, the brow,the under-face of walking numerators.Omens and warp-ends of lupine lumps.

[Rebecca Seiferle]

Bishops arise to adhere tothe joints, the depths, the crowns,the underbed of numerators on foot.Bishops and cockleburs of wolfish harvests.

 

XXV Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas. Al rebufar el socaire de cada caraveladeshilada sin ameracanizar,ceden las estevas en espasmo de infortunio,con pulso párvulo mal habituadoa sonarse en el dorso de la muñeca.Y la más aguda tiplisonanciase tonsura y apeálase, y largamentese ennazala hacia carámbanosde lástima infinita. Soberbios lomos resoplanal portar, pendientes de mustios petrales,las escarapelas con sus siete coloresbajo cero, desde las islas guanerashasta las islas guaneras.Tal los escarzos a la intemperie de pobrefe.Tal el tiempo de las rondas. Tal el del rodeopara los planos futuros,cuando innánima grifalda relata sólofallidas callandas cruzadas. Vienen entonces alfiles a adherirsehasta en las puertas falsas y en los borradores.

XXV Alfan alfiles a adherirsea las junturas, al fondo, a los testuces,al sobrelecho de los numeradores a pie.Alfiles y cadillos de lupinas parvas. Al rebufar el socaire de cada caraveladeshilada sin ameracanizar,ceden las estevas en espasmo de infortunio,con pulso párvulo mal habituadoa sonarse en el dorso de la muñeca.Y la más aguda tiplisonanciase tonsura y apeálase, y largamentese ennazala hacia carámbanosde lástima infinita. Soberbios lomos resoplanal portar, pendientes de mustios petrales,las escarapelas con sus siete coloresbajo cero, desde las islas guanerashasta las islas guaneras.Tal los escarzos a la intemperie de pobrefe.Tal el tiempo de las rondas. Tal el del rodeopara los planos futuros,cuando innánima grifalda relata sólofallidas callandas cruzadas. Vienen entonces alfiles a adherirsehasta en las puertas falsas y en los borradores.

XXV Often all fields add heresiesat last junctures, I’ll find her, a lost test to share,all sober let go the lost numbered doors open.All fields you can’t lose the wolf parts. I’ll rebuff her else who carried a dock of navelsdoes she love a simple american,suddenly each of us end a spasmodic unfortunate,compulsive speaking’s a bad habita sunny ass and a door’s ode laminates.You love my how could you titless announcementsshe tonsils your appeals, you’re a large man tosee an azalea hasn’t care and banishingthe last time a tiny ending. Sober eyes almost resolvesall borders, but the end does the musty penetrating,the scar appeals concisely see it colorsbut you’re certain, that’s the last eyelash squanderedhas the last eyelash gone near us.Tell us excuse us a latent parody probedfree.Tell all they envy tell us Rhondas. Tell all they rode onwe are lost planes futures,you end though in an animal grief older relatively solofallible calendared accusative. When entering all fields of heresyask enlist point out to us falsely the endless buried

doors.

El fin del arte es elevar la vida, acentuando su naturaleza de eterno borrador. El arte descubre caminos, nunca metas. Encuentro aquí, en esta esencia horizontante del arte, toda una tienda de dilucidaciones estéticas que son mías en mí, según dijo Rubén Darío, y que algún día he de plantear en pocas pizarras, como explicación —si esto es posible— de mi obra poética […].