Poets' Corner

Here are images of the two stamps in a set featuring stylized portraits of well known Cypriot poets, designed by Cypriot graphic artist Andreas Antis Ioannides (1939- ), printed by lithography, and issued by Cyprus on March 6, 1978, Scott Nos. 493 & 494, plus images of photographs of the two poets which may have been models for these stamp designs.

- nethryk

Dimitris Theophani Lipertis (1866-1937).


Vasilis Michaelides (1849-1917).

Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Hungarian poet Mihály Csokonai Vitéz (1773-1805), designed by Sándor Légrády (1906-1987), printed by photogravure, and issued by Hungary on July 28, 1955, Scott No. 1137, plus an image of the cover of a collection of Mihály Csokonai Vitéz's poems entitled Lilla, and an English translation of his poem A boldogság ("Happiness," 1797).

- nethryk



Happiness

Now in the jasmine arbour
on this cool summer evening
I sit close to my Lilla
while Lilla joins me humming
and plays the game of kisses
While her brown, pretty tresses
Zephyr's whisper caresses.

I placed upon the meadow
a demijohn of good wine,
and with a tender rosebud
I closed its mouth comme il faut.
Inside my basket waited
Anacreon's good verses
with strawberries I'd just picked.

Whoever has in one place
seen so much delight gathered?
Whose bliss can ever match mine?

- Mihály Csokonai Vitéz
Translated by Paul Tabori

Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Rudaki (c. 859-940), a Persian poet known as the "Adam of Poets," regarded as the first great literary genius of the Modern Persian language, and depicting a harp and writing materials, printed by photogravure, and issued by Iran on March 16, 1964 to publicize the opening of the Blind Institute, Scott No. 1288, plus an image of a bronze bust of Rudaki, and a sample of his poetry in translation. Note: It is believed by some scholars that Rudaki was either born blind, or was blind from early childhood.

- nethryk



Look at the cloud, how it cries like a grieving man
Thunder moans like a lover with a broken heart.
Now and then the sun peeks from behind the clouds
Like a prisoner hiding from the guard.

- Rudaki

Anton Aškerc (1856–1912)

Your cup is – your life!
Pour into it every day good deeds,
Glorious deeds for your compatriots,
For your compatriots and for your homeland! (The Cup of Immortality)

Considered Slovenia's greatest narrative poet, Anton Aškerc was also a priest, an archivist, a traveller, an editor, and a translator, among other things.
He made a name for himself with his first collection of poetry, Balade in romance, despite criticism and opposition in Church circles.
Anton Aškerc was also the first chief archivist of the Ljubljana City Archives.