Do you admire Sappho? Have you ever read her work?

Question

I just saw this in my e-mail, and I wanted to share this bit of lesbian (and bisexual female!) history with everyone. So many people know who Sappho is, but so few have read any of her poems. Are you in that group?

http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/sappho/p/Sappho.htm?nl=1

Poems by her:

http://www.sappho.com/poetry/sappho.html

So beautiful:

"I have not had one word from her

Frankly I wish I were dead
When she left, she wept

a great deal; she said to me, "This parting must be
endured, Sappho. I go unwillingly."

I said, "Go, and be happy
but remember (you know
well) whom you leave shackled by love

"If you forget me, think
of our gifts to Aphrodite
and all the loveliness that we shared

"all the violet tiaras,
braided rosebuds, dill and
crocus twined around your young neck

"myrrh poured on your head
and on soft mats girls with
all that they most wished for beside them

"while no voices chanted
choruses without ours,
no woodlot bloomed in spring without song..."

Answer 1

I know who Sappho was ;-) She was a beautiful woman who made herself known as a very "mysterious" figure. In her lifetime she was neither confirmed nor denied Lesbian, but was thought to be at least bisexual. She had thoughts and ideas of philosophy along the lines of Plato's genius, and was widely admired by many. I greatly admire her work and spirituality, and for those who don't know, take a woman's lit. class. It's inspiring. (And you do learn about more than just Dickinson)

Answer 2

I do not like Sappho. but . . . . ./ ./
jtm