Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Borges Poem

A go friend sent me a go poem by the Argentine poet Jorge Luis Borges (who also lived for many years in Texas). I want to share it here. I'm giving it here as he did to me, first in the original Spanish then in his English translation.


Hoy, 9 de septiembre de 1978, 
tuve en la palma de la mano un pequeño disco
de los trescientos sesenta y uno que se requieren 
para el juego astrológico del go, 
ese otro ajedrez del Oriente. 
Es más antiguo que la más antigua escritura 
y el tablero es un mapa del universo. 
Sus variaciones negras y blancas 
agotarán el 
tiempo. 
En él pueden perderse los hombres 
como en el amor y en el día. 
Hoy, 9 de septiembre de 1978, 
yo, que soy ignorante de tantas cosas, 
sé que ignoro una más, 
y agradezco a mis númenes.
esta revelación de un laberinto 
que nunca será mío.

Today, the 9th of September 1978,
I had in the palm of my hand a small disk
of the 361 that are required
for the astrological game of Go,
that other chess of the Orient.
It is more ancient than the most ancient writing
and the board is a map of the universe.
Its black and white variations
will exhaust time.
In it men can lose themselves
as in love and in the day.
Today, the 9th of September 1978,
I, who am ignorant of so many things,
know that I am ignorant of one more,
and I thank my Muses for
this revelation of a labyrinth
that never will be mine.

By the way, if you're interested in the trip, in addition to any comments you post here, please also write me at  goincuba@gmail.com. That way I'll have your email address and can keep you updated on developments that way.



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