© lacl
Today I decided to translate one of my first blog posts into English. These posts were originally written in my native language that originated in Castile, Spain. The reason is simple: to promote interrelation between languages...
lacl, Dec 6, 2025 (*)
DEMON OF TIGER HILL
This is one of my favorite poems. Why? Because of the mystery of its origin. Because, for me, poetry is an anonymous voice, without person or name. Poetry can spring from my chest and flow from my mouth, but that poetry will never be mine. Because poetry belongs to no one. It belongs to no one, although, paradoxically, it gives us all a sense of belonging. This inscription could have been stamped in a sealed cave, it could have been carved into the bark of a tree, but it was written on a stone wall. Because poetry, despite its anonymous origin, seeks paths to touch the human soul. If it is not joyful, if it does not evoke optimism, it is because it shows us edges and fissures in our souls that ordinary life forbids us from seeing, and because it invites us to open and cross portals to a firmament of which we are a part, ephemeral, yes, but living.
lacl
DEMON OF TIGER HILL
(8th century, anonymous)
INSCRIPTION
(In 778 these ancient verses appeared on the stone wall
of the Temple of Tiger Hill)
I am but a wandering soul:
I could not become an immortal spirit.
The bright sun does not appear for me:
the green pines are my portico.
Enclosed beneath a mound of earth,
I never cease to think of my loved ones.
How can I kill my sorrow, my remorse?
All that is born returns to its origin.
I announce this truth to the living:
offerings of wine do not satiate us.
Let those who have bodies think of their bones:
honor and joy are empty words.
*** * ***
The translation of this ancient poem into Spanish is by Octavio Paz. It can be found in his VERSIONES Y DI-VERSIONES (Versions and Diversions). The first edition dates from 1974, published by Joaquín Mortiz, a printing which, fortunately, fell into my hands fresh off the press. A more recent, revised and expanded edition (whose first two sections are, thankfully, bilingual) is the one published by Galaxia Gutenberg, Barcelona, 2000. Unfortunately, it is more expensive.
(lacl)
Spanish original translation:
DEMONIO DE LA COLINA DEL TIGRE
(siglo VIII, anónimo)
INSCRIPCIÓN
(En 778 aparecieron estos viejos versos sobre el muro
de piedra del Templo de la Colina del Tigre)
No soy sino un alma vagabunda:
no pude convertirme en espíritu inmortal.
Para mí no aparece el claro sol:
los pinos verdes son mi pórtico.
Encerrado bajo un montón de tierra
no dejo de pensar en los míos.
¿Cómo matar mi pena, mis remordimientos?
Todo lo que ha nacido vuelve a su origen.
Anuncio a los vivos esta verdad:
no nos sacian las ofrendas de vino.
Que los que tienen cuerpo piensen en los huesos:
honor y gozo son palabras huecas.
*** * ***
La traducción de este ancestral poema a la lengua castellana es de Octavio Paz. Puede hallarse en sus Versiones y diversiones. La primera edición data de 1974, Ediciones Joaquín Mortiz, impresión que, por fortuna, cayó en mis manos recién salida del horno. Una edición más reciente, revisada y aumentada (cuyas dos primeras secciones son, afortunadamente, bilingües) es la de Galaxia Gutenberg, Barcelona, 2000. Eso sí, desafortunadamente es más cara.
(*) Enlace original (Original link)
https://letrascontraletras.blogspot.com/2007/09/demonio-de-la-colina-del-tigre-es-ste.html?m=0
SUMARIO (SUMMARY)
18 de septiembre de 2007
DEMONIO DE LA COLINA DEL TIGRE / Post Scriptum. Versos de la dinastía Tan.
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