Nabi

First writing during the unrest and activism of early 20th-century Catalonia, Josep Carner (1884-1970) was later pressed into government service but continued to write poetry, becoming a model for younger Catalan poets. His book-length poem Nabi (Hebrew for ""prophet""), published in Buenos Aires in 1941, now appears in an English/Spanish edition, translated by J.L. Gili (1907-1998). Based on the biblical story of Jonah, this deeply religious poem explores the complexities of faith, dogma, uncertainty and forgiveness through the experience of a prophet who, ""recalcitrant,/ and still confused,"" talks back to God: ""Neither Your threats frighten nor Your comfort revives,/ and You appear less resolute,/ like one that wanting to sell a rug/ brings down the price."" Carner imagines Jonah's dialogue with Jehovah throughout his travails, and his internal transition: ""in the belly of a fish, I have faith.// ...I felt sheltered like an unborn child."" An introduction by Arthur Terry provides a fascinating background for this rich work. (Oct.)