The Vigil of Venus and Other Poems by "Q"

A lively dedication opens the collection, with the poet addressing a friend as if two ships were trading verses instead of cargo. The opening lines ripple with maritime images—gales, dolphins, and the shimmering veil of Iris—setting a tone that feels both playful and reverent, inviting listeners into a world where language itself is a vessel.

The heart of the book lies in a thoughtful rendering of the ancient “Pervigilium Veneris,” a fragmentary Latin hymn that survived in two medieval manuscripts. The editor explains the tangled transmission history, the scribes’ amusing mistakes, and the scholarly puzzle of restoring its original order. Rather than forcing a literal translation, the work embraces the poem’s timeless, spring‑time celebration of love, allowing its meaning to shift with each new ear.

Interwoven with this scholarly essay are the poet’s own verses, echoing the classical terseness while speaking in a modern voice. The result is a gentle dialogue between past and present, perfect for anyone who loves poetry that bridges centuries.