What Does This Mean?

{what does this mean?}

Sappho Fragment 104a

Max Anthon

In this column, I am asking readers to send me their interpretations of the poem/fragment I select each week; a few responses will be selected and shared in the next issue. For this particular Sappho fragment, I am asking both for readers’ interpretations as well as for alternative translations. Responses should be sent to manthon@sjc. edu.

Hello dear readers,

What do you think this poem means?

Sappho Fragment 104a Greek text: Ἔσπερε, πάντα φέρων, ὄσα φαίνολις ἐσκέδασ' Αὔως, †φέρεις ὄιν, φέρεις αἶγα, φέρεις ἄπυ† μάτερι παῖδα.

My own translation: Evening, bringing all things that light-bringing Dawn has scattered, you bring the sheep, you bring the goat, you bring child to its mother.

Looking forward to hearing from you!