"To say what you are trying to say": Douglas Livingstone's personae in A rosary of bone (1975b & 1983)

Abstract

"To say what you are trying to say": Douglas Livingstone se persona in A rosary of bone (1975b & 1983) Die artikel bied 'n kritiese oorsig van die personae wat Douglas Livingstone (1932-1996) in die twee uitgawes (1975b; 1983) van "A rosary of bone" aanneem. 'n Driedelige struktuur word gevolg waarin die liefdesgedigte, die vertalings en die Giovanni Jacopo-gedigte afsonderlik behandel word. Die artikel voer aan dat die versameling bakens verskuif, omdat Livingstone hier met nuwe stemme en tegnieke begin eksperimenteer ten einde sy tematiese belangstellings vanuit 'n skerper, satiriese of selfs woedende posisie oor te dra. Hierdie nuwe manier van uiting word nie in vroe�re volumes van sy werk gevind nie. 'n Vergelykende inhoudsopgawe van albei uitgawes word in 'n bylaag verskaf.This article offers a critical overview of the personae Douglas Livingstone (1932-1996) adopts in two editions (1975b; 1983) of "A rosary of bone". Following a tripartite structure, it deals with the love poems, the translations, and the Giovanni Jacopo-poems respectively, arguing that the collection breaks new ground as Livingstone here begins to explore new voices and techniques with which to write about his thematic preoccupations. Such personae permit the poet more acerbic, satirical, or even angry stances, with voices not to be found in the earlier volumes of his work. A comparative list of contents for both editions is given in an appendix.