Editorial

Abstract

Editorial Jorge R. G. Sagastume (bio) Almost six years ago, when I wrote the editorial for the first issue of Sirena, I referred to Robert Frost and his dictum on language, by which he states that all language is a metaphor for a certain reality. In the past six years this journal has published metaphors of reality in more than thirty languages; this issue that we offer to our readers today does not differ from the original mission of Sirena, however, it includes metaphors written exclusively in the German language, with the intention to render homage to Günter Kunert, perhaps one of the most representative poets of its generation, in German and in other languages. The creation, or renewal, of metaphor, is a very delicate and difficult art. Some metaphors are more powerful than others; some speak to all, becoming universal, while others are so narrow that they speak to a few, and this explains the brevity of their lives. Of course, it all depends on the writer. As one of my favorite poets was fond of saying, every writer at the beginning is baroque, vainly so, and as the years go by, and if the stars are on his side, he may achieve, not simplicity, because anyone may achieve this, but a modest and secret complexity. Günter Kunert is one of those rare poets who have mastered the art of the metaphor. He has achieved this modest and secret complexity. His poems tell without telling, without naming; he knows that to name any aspect of the universe is to fictionalize it. I find that every time I reread one of his poems, a new secret is revealed to me; the poem speaks to me in a different fashion, without telling what it wants to tell, and forcing me to reflect upon a certain topic anew, but never suggesting a definite position; the poet knows that one should always distrust those who have a univocal point of view, or those whose pronouncements are always consistent, because our reflections are at the mercy of the seasons, and are but portraits of particular moments. To accompany Günter Kunert’s writings, we also include in this issue the poetry of some of the most important contemporary German writers, who have gladly accepted the call of sending us their work to honor Kunert. We are thankful to them as well as to the publishing houses that have authorized the reprinting of some of the work of those already deceased. And, most particularly, we thank professor Wolfgang Müller for his support, suggestions, diligence, and invaluable input in the process of editing this special issue of Sirena. And, as always, this issue of Sirena publishes the writings in the original language with facing translations into Spanish and English. The art of transporting metaphors from one language into another is not an easy task either, and we are immensely thankful to the translators who have made this issue possible. However, Sirena’s goal has always been to reach its readers, and we hope that they will find in the writings published here secrets that will cause them to reflect upon the different and very particular moments that reality might present to them. We also hope that our readers will share these discoveries with others who are open to everything poetry might bring to them, who read poems for the diverse ideas and emotions they impart. [End Page 4] Editorial Jorge R. G. Sagastume (bio) Hace casi seis años atrás, cuando escribí la sección editorial para el primer número de Sirena, me referí a Robert Frost y a su sentencia sobre el lenguaje, mediante la cual señala que todo lenguaje es una metáfora de una cierta realidad. Durante los pasados seis años esta revista ha editado metáforas de la realidad en más de treinta lenguas; este número que ofrecemos a nuestros lectores hoy no difiere en la misión general de la revista, pero en él incluimos metáforas escritas exclusivamente en lengua alemana, con el fin de rendir homenaje a Günter Kunert, quizá uno de los poetas más representativos de su...