The Complete Poems of Sappho

In this vivid translation, acclaimed poet Willis Barnstone captures the thrilling lyric verse of Sappho, the greatest Greek love poet.

Sappho has captivated generations with a passion and wonder that transcends time. Known for her revealing and intimate love poems, Sappho’s expressions of love, longing, pain, and pleasure made her one of history’s most renowned poets.

After 2,600 years, what remains of Sappho’s poetry are mere fragments. Only a handful of complete poems survive. Yet from these fragments, a full and extraordinary voice emerges. Willis Barnstone captures that voice with mastery, remaining faithful to the emotional power and rhythm of Sappho’s surviving work.

This edition includes a wealth of materials for understanding Sappho’s life and work, and a special section of “Testimonia”: appreciations of Sappho in the words of ancient writers from Plato to Plutarch.