Catullus, who lived from 84 to 54 BC, was a poet of stunning talent and his romance is timeless.
Sure, you can go with the obvious of a dozen roses, a box of chocolates and few would refuse diamonds.
But on Valentine’s Day, a certain sort of romantic will appreciate poetry. Though I would never discourage anyone from buying any book of poetry and presenting it to her or his beloved, here I recommend a poet whose words resonate with me.
My caveat is that I recognize Gaius Valerius Catullus is not a bestseller (how many poets are?) and most people won’t read him, as he wrote, in Latin. He lived in the first century before Christ and was a true romantic. I admit to carrying snippets of his poems with me at all times because he was so lyrical and his cadence so perfect.
If you have somehow forgotten a present, or even if you stocked up on cards, candy and flowers and made a reservation at a favorite restaurant, try reading this to your love.
It is known simply as VII, his seventh poem, and is to his girlfriend, whom he calls Lesbia but her real name was Clodia since she was married to someone else.
Lesbia, you ask how many kisses of yours
would be enough and more to satisfy me.
As many as the grains of Libyan sand
that lie between hot Jupiter’s oracle,
at Ammon, in resin-producing Cyrene,
and old Battiades’ sacred tomb:
or as many as the stars, when night is still,
gazing down on secret human desires:
as many of your kisses kissed
are enough, and more, for mad Catullus,
as can’t be counted by spies
nor an evil tongue bewitch us.
I promise to return to new works by Sunday’s column but for now, please do relish this ancient poet’s words and happy Valentine’s Day.
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