Plant My Garden
a verse translation, for the Day of Hungarian Poetry, April 11
the poem “Kertész leszek” by Attila József, translated by Joe Váradi
Plant my garden, nurture the seeds,
Rise with the sun, uproot the weeds,
Care for none to fill my hours,
only my anointed flowers.
My anointed flowers will be
Lovers who ask nothing of me,
and if they grow into nettle,
I’ll still cherish every petal.
Smoke my pipe, toast with elation,
safeguard my good reputation,
safe from danger, safe from harm, when
I plant myself in my garden.
This we all need, indeed we do,
from east to west, let us pursue —
if this world must come to an end,
from its grave let flowers ascend.
(1925)
The Day of Hungarian Poetry is celebrated since 1964 on the birthday of Attila József (Apr 11, 1905–Dec 3, 1937). He started from humble origins and a troubled childhood — abandoned by his father, sent to foster parents at the age of five by his struggling mother — to become one of the giants of 20th century poetry in his nation. He died at a young age in a tragic accident that was suspected by some to be suicide.
the original:
Kertész leszek
Kertész leszek, fát nevelek,
kelő nappal én is kelek,
nem törődök semmi mással,
csak a beojtott virággal.
Minden beojtott virágom
kedvesem lesz virágáron,
ha csalán lesz, azt se bánom,
igaz lesz majd a virágom.
Tejet iszok és pipázok,
jóhíremre jól vigyázok,
nem ér engem veszedelem,
magamat is elültetem.
Kell ez nagyon, igen nagyon,
napkeleten, napnyugaton —
ha már elpusztul a világ,
legyen a sírjára virág.
