All the English translations of Joyce Mansour’s poems included here are from Emerald Wounds: Selected Poems, edited by Emilie Moorhouse and Garrett Caples, which will be published next month by City Lights. Translations copyright © 2023 by Emilie Moorhouse. Reprinted with the permission of City Lights Books. For more information, visit www.citylights.com. The poems in the original French are copyright © 1953, 1955, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1967, 1976, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1991, 2014, 2023 by Cyrille Mansour for the Estate of Joyce Mansour.
The poems in this selection cover the breadth of Joyce Mansour’s published works. “Fièvre ton sexe est un crabe” was previously published in Cris (1953). “Il n’y a pas de mots,” “Hurlements d’une montagne qui accouche,” “Je suis la nuit,” and “Je veux dormir avec toi coude à coude” were previously published in Déchirures (1955). “Genève” was previously published in Bief No. 8 (July 1959). “Rhabdomancie” was previously published in Rapaces (1960). “Leger comme une navette le désir” and “Séance tenante” were previously published in Carré Blanc (1965). Trous noirs (1986) was her final published collection.
The photographs in this folio were taken by Marion Kalter. Copyright © Marion Kalter.
This is part of “When Can I See You Again: The Poetry of Joyce Mansour,” translated by Emilie Moorhouse. You can read the rest of the portfolio in the June 2023 issue.
The editorial staff of the Poetry Foundation. See the Poetry Foundation staff list and editorial team masthead.