Found in Translation: Galaktioni's "The Farther You Are"
Galaktion Tabidze | გალაკტიონ ტაბიძე
‘Galaktioni’, though it may sound as unusual as any other Georgian name to a foreigner, is quite unique for Georgians as well. The ‘poet king’ – as he is often referred to – modified the spelling of his name to distinguish himself early on. Famously arrogant, Galaktioni was at once eccentric, extravagant, and poor. Over here you will find a translation of one of Tabidze’s most famous, though untitled poems about unattainable love.
Born in the village of Chqvishi, western Georgia (then part of Imperial Russia), the poet was brought up during the times of the Great Purge and political repression. He was married on three occasions, with his first wife being sent to exile and executed. This led to a life of alcoholism, depression and financial instability.
Unsurprisingly, most of Galaktioni’s writings center on the themes of isolation and loneliness, and the poem below speaks about unattainable love. Tabidze gave new life to Georgian verse and even established his own style of writing, distinguished by his work’s inner melody and vivid imagination.
“The farther you are - the sweeter this gets!
I love how you wrap my dreams in disguise.
Untouched – like those sunny yellows and reds,
Unattainable – like true paradise.
If you are not, what I have been thinking, -
Troubles me little, let it be untrue!
A bedridden heart wants you appearing
As the white angel, a dreamer would spew.
Set hearts ablaze with unusual longings,
Fill bottomless seas with tears from above,
Just have me believe my crazy talkings
And the joyous celebration of love.”
The Stalinist regime – which ruled Georgia during the poet’s life – allowed Galaktioni’s poems to be published but often modified them to fit certain socialist propaganda. Still, he was able to produce poetry that was rich with emotion and Galaktion Tabidze remains one of the most beloved, revered, and remembered poets among Georgians today.
