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Jeremiah's Lamentations--Slavitt's Translation

     Some of us read Bible commentaries and use Bible commentaries for various reasons and the reality is that there is no shortage of commentaries. Sometimes commentaries are given by first rate scholars who even provide a new translation directly related to the commentary. In truth, most Bible scholars are not first class wordsmiths and in the best of all possible worlds, poets, and polished producers of prose would be consulted when translating the Bible. One reason I so enjoy the translations of Robert Alter is because he really does understand language. He knows Hebrew very well and is equally knowledgeable of English. Since it is not likely Bible scholars will seek out poets to assist in translating  we all need to keep our eyes open for the occasions when poets translate Hebrew poetry. 
     David Slavitt's translation of Lamentations is such a work. Most of us know that this portion of Holy Writ is a compilation of melancholy dirges akin to funeral elegies about a ruined people.  Structurally, what is most unique about Lamentations is that the first four poems are acrostics and virtually impossible to translate into English. While I'm sure others have attempted this, Slavitt provides a poets sensitivity giving insight into not only the suffering of the ancient Jewish people, but into the nature of human suffering.  Slavitt translates aleph to taw or A-V with great finesse. This translation is a formal outpouring in the highest of high literary expression. 
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