todo apretar, nada cogiendo

23:00 Oct 28, 2016 

I don't think we need to worry too much about posting rhyming couplets here, as Mary has specifically said that she is after an explanation of the line, and hasn't even actually mentioned a finished translation. I wonder if we haven't all been trying too hard to produce something "poetic" when this isn't in fact what is required.
I say this because I translate a good deal of poetry, and whenever I need help from KudoZ with understanding the text, the last thing I ever want is suggestions on how to make it fit into the rest of the poem. For starters, I'd be embarrassed to submit someone else's brilliant (!) work and pass it off as my own, but if the translation is to be published, there could also be copyright implications

19:34 Oct 28, 2016 

Thanks, Cecilia :)
Have to say I agree with Helena here, a little focus would make it much easier to decide which of these ideas works best.

19:27 Oct 28, 2016 

What about the rhythm and meter? It's impossible, especially for me, to translate a verse without knowing what you're doing with the rest of the poem!

17:50 Oct 28, 2016 

You are right Robert, that is it, whichever way you say it!

17:43 Oct 28, 2016 

I'm useless at poetry, but to me it means something like "clutching at everything and obtaining nothing".