The Complete Poems

by Sappho

Come to me now and loosen me from blunt agony. Labor and fill my heart with fire. Stand by me and be my ally.

I could not hope to touch the sky with my two arms

Love shook my heart like wind on a mountain punishing oak trees.

love’s gaze made her bend

Homecoming You came and I went mad about you. You cooled my mind burning with longing.

A man who is beautiful is beautiful to see but a good man at once takes on beauty.

Often those I treat well are just the ones who most harm me vainly

I would rather not be like this with trinkets but may I have them all

I am not of a wounding spirit rather I have a gentle heart

Now in my heart I see clearly a beautiful face shining back on me, stained with love [4]

Among gods right off the one who sheds no tears

Angry with Her Daughter When She Psapfo Was Dying It is not right in a house serving the Muses to have mourning. For us it is unbecoming. [150]

No Oblivion Someone, I tell you, in another time, will remember us.

To a Woman of No Education When you lie dead no one will remember or long for you later. You do not share the roses of Pieria. Unseen here and in the house of Hades, flown away, you will flitter among dim corpses.