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Tom Merrill's avatar

A Response to a Translation

The lovesong of the nightingale in the tree

revives no romance in me.

No, all I hear is my heart screaming foul

to every shot that made us be,

to the irremediable swindle, the callous cheat,

the injustice, and mechanical cruelty.

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Carey Jobe's avatar

The terse post-romanticism of this reminds me of Philip Larkin.

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Tom Merrill's avatar

Larkin was a strong writer, so I'm glad my ditty reminded you of him. I've dedicated a few ditties to him. He was somewhat on my wavelength.

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