Poems

by Hermann Hesse Selected and translated by James Wright a.b.e-book v3.0 / Notes at EO Back Cover: O!ten in !"ll !light o! longing my so"l storms "#$ard% &o ga'e on the !"t"re o! blessed men% (ove% overcoming the la$% love !rom #eo#le to #eo#le. ) !ind them all again% nobly trans!ormed* armer% king% tradesman% b"sy sailors% She#herd and gardener% all o! them +rate!"lly celebrate the !estival o! the !"t"re $orld. &his vol"me% the !irst edition in English o! Hermann Hesse,s #oetry% begins to correct an "ne-#lainable oversight. or i! the a"thor o! Narcissus and Goldmund and The Journey to the East had never $ritten a single novel% his #oems alone $o"ld have established him as a distinctly elo."ent voice. James Wright% himsel! increasingly recogni'ed as one o! the !inest #oets $riting today% has selected and translated thirty-one #oems !rom Die Gedichte (Collected Poems). &he res"lts make it #lain that the b"rden o! Hesse,s songs% and his song!"lness% is gen"inely congenial to Wright. /0oetry is $hat is lost in translation./ Here is one collaboration that transcends that ma-im.

Copyright 1 19 ! "y James #right German te$t selected %rom 2ie +edichte 3in +esammelte Schri!ten4% Copyright 19&' "y (uhr)amp *erlag+ ,erlin -ll rights reser.ed /i"rary o% Congress catalog card num"er0 56-708996 Pu"lished simultaneously in Canada "y Dou"leday Canada /td.+ Toronto Printed in the 1nited (tates o% -merica 2i%th printing+ 19 ' Designed "y Cynthia 3rupat &he ."otation !rom Hermann Hesse,s (teppen4ol% 3translated by :asil ;reighton< co#yright 78=8% 1 7895 Holt% >inehart and Winston% )nc.4 is re#rinted by #ermission o! the #"blisher

Translator's Note
e$ ?merican readers seem a$are that Hesse $as a #oet. )n the seven-vol"me +erman edition o! his $orks% there are some @60 #ages o! #oems% Die Gedichte. Some are very !ine% and it goes $itho"t saying that a !ine short #oem can have the resonance and de#th o! an entire good novel. >eaders o! Hesse,s novels are already a$are that they contain many #assages o! literal verse. His No.ellen+ that #ec"liarly +erman !orm $hich +oethe !irst mastered and $hich contains some o! the most #ro!o"ndly bea"ti!"l and ill"minating bodies o! !eeling in the literat"re -- Aeller% Eichendor!!% and Storm come to mind% not to mention the very master o! them all% &homas Bann -- are lyrical in themselves< and one o! them% 5n the Pressel (ummerhouse (5m Presselschen Gartenhaus)+ is itsel! a story abo"t #oets. )t deals $ith the yo"ng BCrike,s visit to the aging HClderlin. )t is a story by an artist abo"t an artist $ho is visiting another artist% in this case a master% and it bears some resemblance to BCrike,s o$n #rose master#iece% 6o7art on the #ay to Prague (6o7art au% der 8eise nach Prag). ) don,t intend here to o!!er more than an im#licit D"dgment o! Hesse,s $ork. ) like his #oems very m"ch% or ) $o"ld not have tried to translate some o! them. :"t ) sho"ld say something abo"t the #oet,s theme. :oth his c"rio"s er"dition and his o$n $ritings make clear his abiding concern $ith art as a $ay o! searching !or kno$ledge. Whether or not the strange and ha"nted old man ever learned anything $orth kno$ing is a matter still o#en to ."estion. )t has been arg"ed by scholars and artists alike. ?ll ) $ish to do is to o!!er a selection o! Hesse,s #oems $hich deal $ith the single theme o! homesickness. ) s"##ose the $ord% like love% is sim#le eno"gh at !irst glance. )! somebody else is in love% love looks charmingly silly. )! somebody else is homesick% $e ch"ckle. &he #oor !ello$ hasn,t gro$n "#. :"t his str"ggle% his gro$th itsel!% is a serio"s theme% and Hesse has to"ched this theme $ith a traditionally endearing delicacy. 2"ring the recent #roli!eration o! translations $hich have bro"ght so many o! Hesse,s $orks to the attention o! ?merican readers% and #artic"larly to the attention o! the yo"ng% there has been a need to identi!y him% to describe his limits. Other$ise% he might go the $ay o! a !ad% as so many things -- and not all o! them $orthless% either -- have a $ay o! doing in ?merica. &o my mind% the best criticism o! this indis#ensable kind has been #rovided by the brilliant ?merican novelist Ste#hen Aoch. He is #artic"larly ."ali!ied to $arn against the in!lation o! Hesse. E"ite aside !rom Br. Aoch,s o$n mastery o! lyrical #rose% and ."ite aside !rom his learning% he is himsel! a yo"ng man $ho has $ritten #ro!o"ndly in de!ense o! the distressed% assa"lted ne$ generation in this co"ntry. So% in his #enetrating revie$ o! Hesse,s Narcissus and Goldmund (The Ne4 8epu"lic+ J"ly 73%78F64% Br. Aoch describes Hesse,s limitations% and thereby% ) think% reveals his tr"e #o$ers*
Like everything else in his work, Hesse's thought is irretrievably adolescent, so that in his chosen role of artist of ideas, he is invariably second-rate, although unlike the other prophets of the New Age, he is never less than second-rate. His thought is never cheap, never trashy, but neither is it ever intellectually exalting, the way the professorial, unfashionable ann so often is. Al!ost without exception, Hesse's ideas are derivative, school-boyish, traditional to the point of being acade!ic, influenced by all the right people, and boringly correct. ". . .# $o it goes, book after book, the %reat &deas chasing the 'errific (xperiences ho!e to their all-too-obvious destinations. )lawed though it so!eti!es is, Hesse's aesthetic sense is different and better than this* it does so!eti!es rise to extraordinary levels, does transfor! itself into +so!ething else,+ as

the kids say. 'he final third of Steppenwolf is one of the great !o!ents in !odern literature, a !o!ent original to the point of being in a class by itself, and one with an i!portance to future art which is not to be patroni,ed.

) think that Br. Aoch has ca"ght the nat"re and val"e o! Hesse,s art so bea"ti!"lly in this #assage that it remains only to o!!er yet another !e$ lines% taken !rom the closing #ages o! (teppen4ol%+ $hich ) have !ollo$ed as my g"ide in selecting and translating some o! Hesse,s #oems. &he lines ) mean do indeed a##ear in the !inal third o! (teppen4ol%. ) have abbreviated them< b"t they #rovide $hat ) take to be Hesse,s best and noblest e-#ression o! his artistic theme. )n this #assage% the girl Hermine is trying to e-#lain to the !orty-year-old Harry Haller $hy his li!e is nothing% and yet not nothing*
+'i!e and the world, !oney and power belong to the s!all people and the shallow people. 'o the rest, to the real !en belongs nothing. Nothing but death.+ +Nothing else-+ +.es, eternity.+ +.ou !ean a na!e, and fa!e with posterity-+ +No, $teppenwolf, not fa!e. Has that any value- And do you think that all true and real !en have been fa!ous and known to posterity-+ +No, of course not.+ +'hen it isn't fa!e. )a!e exists in that sense only for the school!asters. No, it isn't fa!e. &t is what & call eternity. 'he pious call it the kingdo! of %od. & say to !yself/ all we who ask too !uch and have a di!ension too !any could not contrive to live at all if there were not another air to breathe outside the air of this world, if there were not eternity at the back of ti!e* and this is the kingdo! of truth. 'he !usic of o,art belongs there and the poetry of your great poets. 'he saints, too, belong there, who have worked wonders and suffered !artyrdo! and given a great exa!ple to !en. 0ut the i!age of every true act, the strength of every true feeling, belongs to eternity 1ust as !uch, even though no one knows of it or sees it or records it or hands it down to posterity. ". . .# Ah, Harry, we have to stu!ble through so !uch dirt and hu!bug before we reach ho!e. And we have no one to guide us. 2ur only guide is our ho!esickness.+

&hat is $hat ) think Hesse,s #oetry is abo"t. He is homesick. :"t $hat is homeG ) do not kno$ the ans$er% b"t ) cherish Hesse beca"se he at least kne$ ho$ to ask the ."estion. ? translation o! this kind is al$ays a collaboration di!!ic"lt to identi!y. :"t ) $o"ld like to e-#ress my gratit"de to Br. Bichael >olo!!% $ho did his best to correct my inacc"racies o! translation< to the #oet Jerome Ba''aro% a master!"l translator $hose advice means almost as m"ch as his !riendshi#< and to Br. and Brs. Borgan E#es o! :"!!alo% N.H.% and Br. and Brs. Orrin Ely o! Old ;hatham% N.H.% at $hose homes most o! these translations $ere made. James #right 2e"ruary 99+ 19 !

Contents

)ch $eiss% d" gehst -5 3no4+ :ou #al) Iber die elder. . . -cross the 2ields. . . Elisabeth Eli7a"eth >avenna 374 8a.enna 374 >avenna 3=4 8a.enna 3=4 Einsame Nacht /onesome Night BJckensch$arm - (4arm o% Gnats 2er 2ichter The Poet :erge in der Nacht 6ountains at Night :ei Nacht -t Night on the ;igh (eas ?n eine chinesische SKngerin To a Chinese Girl (inging ?bschied vom Lr$ald Departure %rom the Jungle :Cse Meit E.il Time ?"! Wander"ng <n a Journey Wohl lieb ich die !instre Nacht Night Schicksal

Destiny Ode an HClderlin <de to ;=lderlin 2ie Aindheit Childhood )m +rase liegend /ying in Grass Wie sind die &age. . . ;o4 ;ea.y the Days. . . )n einer Samml"ng Kgy#tischer :ild$erke 5n a Collection o% Egyptian (culptures Ohne dich #ithout :ou 2ie ersten :l"men The 2irst 2lo4ers rJhlingstag (pring Day eierliche ?bendm"sik ;oliday 6usic in the E.ening 2enken an den re"nd bei Nacht Thin)ing o% a 2riend at Night Herbsttag -utumn Day 2en Aindern To Children ?"ch die :l"men 2lo4ers+ Too ?ngst in der Nacht 1neasiness in the Night ?lle &ode -ll Deaths

>2or 6ichael di Capua -- J.W.N

Ich weiss, du gehst -So o!t ich s#Kt noch a"! der Strasse geh% Senk ich den :lick "nd eile voller ?ngst% 2" kCnntest #lCt'lich sch$eigend vor mir stehn Lnd meine :licke mJssten all dein Weh Lnd mJssten sehn% Wie d" von mir dein totes +lJck verlangst. )ch $eiss% d" gehst da dra"ssen Dede Nacht Bit sche"em Schritt im schlechten 2irnen#"t' Lnd gehst nach +eld% "nd siehst so elend a"sO ?n deinen Sch"hen klebt der Schm"t'% 2er Wind s#ielt !rech mit deiner Haare 0racht -2" gehst "nd gehst% "nd !indst nicht mehr nach Ha"s. P7688N

I Know, You Walk -) $alk so o!ten% late% along the streets% (o$er my ga'e% and h"rry% !"ll o! dread% S"ddenly% silently% yo" still might rise ?nd ) $o"ld have to ga'e on all yo"r grie! With my o$n eyes% While yo" demand yo"r ha##iness% that,s dead. ) kno$% yo" $alk beyond me% every night% With a coy !oot!all% in a $retched dress ?nd $alk !or money% looking miserableO Ho"r shoes gather +od kno$s $hat "gly mess% &he $ind #lays in yo"r hair $ith le$d delight -Ho" $alk% and $alk% and !ind no home at all.

ber die Felder. . .

Iber den Himmel Wolken 'iehn Iber die elder geht der Wind% Iber die elder $andert Beiner B"tter verlorenes Aind. Iber die Strasse :lKtter $ehn% Iber den :K"men QCgel schrein -)rgend$o Jber den :ergen B"ss meine !eme Heimat sein. P780=N

Across the Fields. . .

?cross the sky% the clo"ds move% ?cross the !ields% the $ind% ?cross the !ields the lost child O! my mother $anders. ?cross the street% leaves blo$% ?cross the trees% birds cry -?cross the mo"ntains% !ar a$ay% By home m"st be.

Elisabeth
)ch soil er'Khlen% 2ie Nacht ist schon s#Kt -Willst d" mich ."Klen% SchCne ElisabethG 2aran ich dichte Lnd d" da'"% Beine (iebesgeschichte )st dieser ?bend "nd d".

2" m"sst nicht stCren% 2ie >eime ver$ehn. :ald $irst d" sie hCren% HCren "nd nicht verstehn. P780=N

Elizabeth
) sho"ld tell yo" a story% &he night is already so late -2o yo" $ant to torment me% (ovely Eli'abethG ) $rite #oems abo"t that% J"st as yo" do< ?nd the entire history o! my love )s yo" and this evening. Ho" m"stn,t be tro"blesome% ?nd blo$ these #oems a$ay. Soon yo" $ill listen to them% (isten% and not "nderstand.

avenna !"#
)ch bin a"ch in >avenna ge$esen. )st eine kleine tote Stadt% 2ie Airchen "nd viel >"inen hat% Ban kann davon in den :Jchern lesen. 2" gehst hind"rch "nd scha"st dich "m. 2ie Strassen sind so trJb "nd nass Lnd sind so ta"sendDKhrig st"mm Lnd Jberall $Kchst Boos "nd +ras. 2as ist $ie alte (ieder sind -Ban hCrt sie an "nd keiner lacht Lnd Deder la"scht "nd Deder sinnt Hernach daran bis in die Nacht.

P780=N

a!enna "#$
)% too% have been in >avenna. )t is a little dead city &hat has ch"rches and a good many r"ins. Ho" can read abo"t it in books. Ho" $alk back thro"gh it and look aro"nd yo"* &he streets are so m"ddy and dam#% and so 2"mbstr"ck !or a tho"sand years% ?nd moss and grass% every$here. &hat is $hat old songs are like -Ho" listen to them% and nobody la"ghs ?nd everybody dra$s back into His o$n time till night !alls into him.

avenna !$#
2ie ra"en von >avenna tragen Bit tie!em :lick "nd 'arter +este )n sich ein Wissen von den &agen 2er alten Stadt "nd ihrer este. 2ie ra"en von >avenna $einen Wie stille Ainder* tie! "nd leise. Lnd $enn sie lachen% $ill es scheinen M" trJbem &e-t die helle Weise. 2ie ra"en von >avenna beten Wie Ainder* san!t "nd voll +enJgen. Sie kCnnen (iebes$orte reden Lnd selbst nicht $issen% dass sie lJgen. 2ie ra"en von >avenna kJssen Seltsam "nd tie! "nd hingegeben. Lnd ihnen allen ist vom (eben Nichts k"nd% als dass $ir sterben mJssen.

P780=N

a!enna !$#
&he $omen o! >avenna% With their dee# ga'es and a!!ectionate gest"res% ;arry a kno$ledge o! the days O! the old city% their !estivals. &he $omen o! >avenna Wee# like children $ho $on,t tell yo"* dee#% light. ?nd $hen they la"gh% a glittering song >ises in the sl"dge o! the te-t. &he $omen o! >avenna #ray (ike children* gentle% !"lly contented. &hey can s#eak love,s $ords $itho"t even kno$ing &hemselves they are lying. &he $omen o! >avenna kiss >arely and dee#% they kiss back. ?nd all they kno$ abo"t li!e is that We all have to die.

Einsame %acht
2ie ihr meine :rJder seid% ?rme Benschen nah "nd !erne% 2ie ihr im :e'irk der Sterne &rCst"ng trK"met e"rem (eid% 2ie ihr $ortelos ge!altet )n die blass gestirnte Nacht Schmale 2"lderhKnde haltet% 2ie ihr leidet% die ihr $acht% ?rme% irrende +emeinde% Schi!!er ohne Stern "nd +lJck -remde% dennoch mir Qereinte% +ebt mir meinen +r"ss '"rJckO P780=N

%oneso&e Ni'ht
Ho" brothers% $ho are mine% 0oor #eo#le% near and !ar% (onging !or every star% 2ream o! relie! !rom #ain% Ho"% st"mbling d"mb ?t night% as #ale stars break% (i!t yo"r thin hands !or some Ho#e% and s"!!er% and $ake% 0oor m"ddling common#lace% Ho" sailors $ho m"st live Lnstarred by ho#elessness% We share a single !ace. +ive me my $elcome back.

&'ckenschwarm
Qiel ta"send glKn'ende 0"nkte 2rKngen sich gierig in ieber$onnen M" 'itternden Areisen '"sammen. Qersch$enderisch #rassend Eine eilig entgleitende St"nde lang >asen sie $ild mit gellem +erK"sch )n '"ckender ("st dem &od entgegen. Lntergegangene >eiche% 2eren goldbeladene &hrone #lCt'lich "nd s#"rlos )n Nacht "nd Sage 'erstoben% Haben nie so $ilde &Kn'e gekannt. P7877N

A (war& o) *nats
Bany tho"sand glittering motes ;ro$d !or$ard greedily together )n trembling circles. E-travagantly caro"sing a$ay

or a $hole ho"r ra#idly vanishing% &hey rave% delirio"s% a shrill $hir% Shivering $ith Doy against death. Whole kingdoms% s"nk into r"in% Whose thrones% heavy $ith gold% instantly scattered )nto night and legend% $itho"t leaving a trace% Have never kno$n o! so !ierce a dancing.

(er (ichter
N"r mir dem Einsamen Scheinen des Nachts die "nendlichen Sterne% >a"scht der steinerne :r"nnen sein Ma"berlied% Bir allein% mir dem Einsamen Miehen die !arbigen Schatten Wandernder Wolken &rK"men gleich Jbers +e!ild. Nicht Ha"s noch ?cker ist% Nicht Wald noch Jagd noch +e$erb mir gegeben% Bein ist n"r% $as keinem gehCrt% Bein ist stJr'ender :ach hinterm Waldesschleier% Bein das !"rchtbare Beer% Bein der s#ielenden Ainder Qogelgesch$irre% &rKne "nd (ied einsam Qerliebter am ?bend. Bein a"ch sind die &em#el der +Ctter% mein ist 2er Qergangenheit ehr$Jrdiger Hain. Lnd nicht minder der M"k"n!t (ichtes Himmelsge$Clbe ist meine Heimat* O!t in lJgen der Sehns"cht stJrmt meine Seele em#or% Seliger Benschheit M"k"n!t '" scha"en% (iebe% +eset' besiegend% (iebe von Qolk '" Qolk. ?lle !ind ich sie $ieder% edel ver$andelt* (andmann% ACnig% HKndler% emsiges Schi!!ervolk% Hirt "nd +Krtner% sie alle eiern dankbar der M"k"n!t Welt!est. Ein'ig der 2ichter !ehlt% Er% der vereinsamt Scha"ende% Er% der Benschensehns"cht &rKger "nd bleiches :ild% 2essen die M"k"n!t% dessen die Welter!Jll"ng Nicht mehr bedar!. Es $elken Qiele ArKn'e an seinem +rabe% ?ber verschollen ist sein +edKchtnis.

P7877N

The +oet
Only on me% the lonely one% &he "nending stars o! the night shine% &he stone !o"ntain $his#ers its magic song% &o me alone% to me the lonely one &he color!"l shado$s o! the $andering clo"ds Bove like dreams over the o#en co"ntryside. Neither ho"se nor !armland% Neither !orest nor h"nting #rivilege is given to me% What is mine belongs to no one% &he #l"nging brook behind the veil o! the $oods% &he !rightening sea% &he bird $hir o! children at #lay% &he $ee#ing and singing% lonely in the evening% o! a man secretly in love. &he tem#les o! the gods are mine also% and mine &he aristocratic groves o! the #ast. ?nd no less% the l"mino"s Qa"lt o! heaven in the !"t"re is my home* O!ten in !"ll !light o! longing my so"l storms "#$ard% &o ga'e on the !"t"re o! blessed men% (ove% overcoming the la$% love !rom #eo#le to #eo#le. ) !ind them all again% nobly trans!ormed* armer% king% tradesman% b"sy sailors% She#herd and gardener% all o! them +rate!"lly celebrate the !estival o! the !"t"re $orld. Only the #oet is missing% &he lonely one $ho looks on% &he bearer o! h"man longing% the #ale image O! $hom the !"t"re% the !"l!illment o! the $orld Has no !"rther need. Bany garlands Wilt on his grave% :"t no one remembers him.

Berge in der %acht

2er See ist erloschen% Sch$ar' schlK!t das >ied%

)m &ra"me !lJsternd. Lngehe"er ins (and gedehnt 2rohen die hingestreckten :erge. Sie r"hen nicht. Sie atmen tie!% "nd sie halten Einer den andern an sich gedrJckt. &ie! atmend% Bit d"m#!en ArK!ten beladen% LnerlCst in ver'ehrender (eidenscha!t. P7877N

,ountains at Ni'ht
&he lake has died do$n% &he reed% black in its slee#% Whis#ers in a dream. E-#anding immensely into the co"ntryside% &he mo"ntains loom% o"ts#read. &hey are not resting. &hey breathe dee#ly% and hold themselves% 0ressed tightly% to one another. 2ee#ly breathing% (aden $ith m"te !orces% ;a"ght in a $asting #assion.

Bei %acht
Nachts% $enn das Beer mich $iegt Lnd bleicher Sternenglan' ?"! seinen $eiten Wellen liegt% 2ann lCse ich mich gan' Qon allem &"n "nd aller (iebe los Lnd stehe still "nd atme bloss ?llein% allein vom Beer ge$iegt% 2as still "nd kalt mit ta"send (ichtern liegt. 2ann m"ss ich meiner re"nde denken Lnd meinen :lick in ihre :licke senken% Lnd !rage Deden still allein* /:ist d" noch meinG )st dir mein (eid ein (eid% mein &od ein &odG

Jhlst d" von meiner (iebe% meiner Not N"r einen Ha"ch% n"r einen WiderhallG/ Lnd r"hig blickt "nd sch$eigt das Beer Lnd lKchelt* Nein. Lnd nirgend$o kommt +r"ss "nd ?nt$ort her. P7877N

At Ni'ht on the -i'h (eas

(%rom an -sian ?ourney0 6alayan -rchipelago) ?t night% $hen the sea cradles me ?nd the #ale star gleam (ies do$n on its broad $aves% &hen ) !ree mysel! $holly rom all activity and all the love ?nd stand silent and breathe #"rely% ?lone% alone cradled by the sea &hat lies there% cold and silent% $ith a tho"sand lights. &hen ) have to think o! my !riends ?nd my ga'e sinks into their ga'es ?nd ) ask each one% silent% alone* /?re yo" still mineG )s my sorro$ a sorro$ to yo"% my death a deathG 2o yo" !eel !rom my love% my grie!% J"st a breath% D"st an echoG/ ?nd the sea #eace!"lly ga'es back% silent% ?nd smiles* no. ?nd no greeting and no ans$er comes !rom any$here.

)n eine chinesische *+ngerin

?"! dem stillen l"sse sind $ir am ?bend ge!ahren% >osig stand "nd beglKn't der ?ka'ienba"m% >osig strahlten die Wolken. )ch aber sah sie ka"m% Sah n"r die 0!la"menblJte in deinen Haaren. (Kchelnd sassest d" vom im geschmJckten :oote% Hieltest die (a"te in der geJbten Hand%

Sangest das (ied vom heiligen Qaterland% WKhrend in deinen ?"gen die J"gend lohte. Sch$eigend stand ich am Bast "nd $Jnschte mir% ohne Ende 2ieser glJhenden ?"gen Sklave '" sein% E$ig dem (iede '" la"schen in seliger 0ein Lnd dem beglJckenden S#iel deiner bl"menha!t 'arten HKnde. P7879N

To a .hinese *irl (in'in'

We traveled do$n the still river in the evening% &he acacia stood in the color o! rose% casting its light% &he clo"ds cast do$n the rose light. :"t ) scarcely sa$ them% ?ll ) sa$ $ere the #l"m blossoms in yo"r hair. Ho" sat smiling in the bo$ o! the garlanded boat% Held the l"te in yo"r skill!"l hand% Sang the song% that holy co"ntry o! yo"r o$n% While yo"r eyes #romised !ire% and yo" $ere so yo"ng. Witho"t saying anything% ) stood at the mast% and $hat ) $anted% or mysel!% $as to give in to those gleaming eyes% over and over% &o listen to the song !orever in blessed #ain% &o the song that co"ld make me ha##y% tangled in yo"r delicate hands.

)bschied vom ,rwald

?"! meiner Aiste sit' ich am Strand% 2r"nten am 2am#!er schreien )nder% ;hinesen% Balaien% (achen la"t "nd handeln mit littertand. Hinter mir liegen !iebernde NKchte "nd &age +lJhenden (ebens% die ich schon Det't% 2a noch der Lr$aldstrom meine Sohlen net't% Sorgsam $ie SchKt'e im tie!sten +edKchtnis trage. Qiele (Knder "nd StKdte $eiss ich noch $arten% ?ber niemals $ohl $ird der WKlder Nacht%

Wird der $ilde gKrende Lr$eltgarten Wieder mich locken "nd schrecken mit seiner 0racht. Hier in dieser "nendlichen le"chtenden Wildnis War ich $eiter als De entrJckt von der Benschen$elt -O "nd niemals sah ich so nah "nd "nverstellt Beiner eigenen Seele ges#iegeltes :ildnis. P7879N

/e0arture )ro& the 1un'le

With my s"itcase% ) sit on the beach< :elo$ me% on the steamer% )ndians% ;hinese% Balayans are sho"ting% (a"ghing lo"dly and trading their knickknacks. :ehind me% !everish nights% and days O! glo$ing li!e% that even no$ ) carry ;are!"lly as treas"res in my dee#est tho"ghts% ?s tho"gh ) still $et my !eet in the D"ngle stream. ) kno$ many co"ntries and cities are still $aiting% :"t never again $ill the night o! the !orests% &he $ild !ermenting garden o! the earliest $orld ("re me in% and horri!y me $ith its magni!icence. Here in this endless and gleaming $ilderness ) $as removed !arther than ever !rom the $orld o! men -?nd ) never sa$ so close and so clearly &he image in the mirror o! my o$n so"l.

B-se .eit
N"n sind $ir still Lnd singen keine (ieder mehr% 2er Schritt $ird sch$er< 2as ist die Nacht% die kommen $ill. +ib mir die Hand% Qielleicht ist "nser Weg noch $eit.

Es schneit% es schneitO Hart ist der Winter im !remden (and. Wo ist die Meit% 2a "ns ein (icht% ein Herd gebranntG +ib mir die HandO Qielleicht ist "nser Weg noch $eit. P7877N

E!il Ti&e
No$ $e are silent ?nd sing no songs any more% O"r #ace gro$s heavy< &his is the night% that $as bo"nd to come. +ive me yo"r hand% 0erha#s $e still have a long $ay to go. )t,s sno$ing% it,s sno$ing. Winter is a hard thing in a strange co"ntry. Where is the time When a light% a hearth b"rned !or "sG +ive me yo"r handO 0erha#s $e still have a long $ay to go.

)u/ 0anderung
32EB ?N2ENAEN ANL(0S4 Sei nicht tra"rig% bald ist es Nacht% 2a sehn $ir Jber dem bleichen (and 2en kJhlen Bond% $ie er heimlich lacht% Lnd r"hen Hand in Hand. Sei nicht tra"rig% bald konimt die Meit% 2a haben $ir >"h. Lnsre Are"'lein stehen ?m hellen Strassenrande '" '$eit% Lnd es regnet "nd schneit% Lnd die Winde kommen "nd gehen.

P7877N

2n a 1ourne3
3)N BEBO>H O ANL(04 2on,t be do$ncast% soon the night $ill come% When $e can see the cool moon la"ghing in secret Over the !aint co"ntryside% ?nd $e rest% hand in hand. 2on,t be do$ncast% the time $ill soon come When $e can have rest. O"r small crosses $!ll stanc On the bright edge o! the road together% ?nd rain !all% and sno$ !all% ?nd the $inds come and go.

0ohl lieb ich die /instre %acht

Wohl lieb ich die !instre Nacht< O!t aber% $enn sie also bleich Lnd dJster $ie a"s Schmer'en lacht% +ra"t mir vor ihrem argen >eich Lnd ich sehne mich% die Sonne '" scha"en Lnd lichter!Jllte Wolken im :la"en% Lm $arm in glKn'enden &agesrK"men Qon der Nacht '" trK"men. P7877N

Ni'ht
) like the dark night $ell eno"gh< :"t sometimes% $hen it t"rns bleak ?nd #eaked% as my s"!!ering la"ghs at me% )ts dread!"l kingdom horri!ies me% ?nd ) $ish to +od ) co"ld take one look at the s"nlight ?nd the bl"e o! heaven bro"ght back to light by its clo"ds% ?nd ) $ant to lie do$n $arm in the $ide s#aces o! the day. &hen ) can dream o! the night.

*chicksal
Wir sind in Morn "nd Lnverstand Wie Ainder t"n% geschieden Lnd haben "ns gemieden% Qon blCder Scham gebannt. 2ie Jahre gingen drJber her Bil >e"en "nd mit Warten. )n "nsern J"gendgarten Jhrt keine Strasse mehr. P7877N

/estin3
)n o"r !"ry and m"ddle We act like children% c"t o!!% led !rom o"rselves% :o"nd by silly shame. &he years cl"m# #ast )n their agony% $aiting. Not a single #ath leads back &o the garden o! o"r yo"th.

1de an 2-lderlin
re"nd meiner J"gend% '" dir kehr ich voll 2ankbarkeit Banchen ?bend '"rJck% $enn im liedergebJsch 2es entschl"mmerten +artens N"r der ra"schende :r"nnen noch tCnt. Aeiner kennt dich% o re"nd< $eit hat die ne"ere Meit Sich von +riechenlands stillen Ma"bern ent!ernt% Ohne +ebet "nd entgCttert Wandelt nJchtern das Qolk im Sta"b.

?ber der heimlichen Schar innig Qers"nkener% 2enen der +ott die Seele mit Sehns"cht schl"g% )hr erklingen die (ieder 2einer gCttlichen Har!e noch he"t. Sehnlich $enden $ir "ns% vom &ag ErmJdete% 2er ambrosischen Nacht deiner +esKnge '"% 2eren $ehender ittich Lns beschattet mit goldenem &ra"m. ?ch% "nd glJhender brennt% $enn dein (ied "ns ent'Jckt% Schmer'licher brennt nach der Qor'eit seligem (and% Nach den &em#eln der +riechen Lnser e$iges Heim$eh a"!. P7877N

2de to -4lderlin
riend o! my yo"ng manhood% on many an evening ) ret"rn grate!"lly to yo"% $hen in the elder b"shes O! the garden !allen aslee# Only the r"stling !o"ntains still make a so"nd. Nobody kno$s yo"% my !riend< this ne$ age has driven ar a$ay !rom the silent magic o! +reece. Witho"t #rayer% and cheated o"t o! gods% 0eo#le stroll reasonably in the d"st. :"t to the secret gathering $ho sink in their inner lives% Whose so"ls +od has stricken $ith longing% &he heavenly strings o! yo"r songs ?re ringing% even today. We t"rn #assionately% e-ha"sted by day% &o the ambrosia% the night o! yo"r m"sic% Whose !anning $ing casts "s into ? shado$ o! golden dream. Hes% and l"mino"sly% $hen yo"r song delights "s% Sorro$!"lly b"rning !or the blessed land o! the #ast% or the tem#les o! the +reeks% O"r homesickness lasts !orever.

(ie 3indheit
2" bist% mein !ernes &al% Qer'a"bert "nd vers"nken. O!t hast d" mir in Not "nd E"al Em#or a"s deinem Schattenland ge$"nken Lnd deine BKrchena"gen a"!getan% 2ass ich ent'Jckt in k"r'em Wahn Bich gan' '" dir '"rJck verlor. O d"nkles &or% O d"nkle &odesst"nde% Aomm d" heran% dass ich ges"nde Lnd dass a"s dieses (ebens (eere )ch heim '" meinen &rK"men kehreO P7879N

.hildhood
By !arthest valley% yo" are :e$itched and vanished. Bany times% in my grie! and agony% Ho" have beckoned "#$ard to me !rom yo"r co"ntry o! shado$s ?nd o#ened yo"r legendary eyes &ill )% lost in a ."ick ill"sion% (ost mysel! back to yo" $holly. O dark gate% O dark ho"r o! death% ;ome !orth% So ) can recover !rom this li!e,s em#tiness ?nd go home to my o$n dreams.

Im 4rase liegend
)st dies n"n alles% :l"menga"kels#iel

Lnd arben!la"m der lichten Sommer$iese% Martbla" ges#annter Himmel% :ienensang% )st dies n"n alles eines +ottes StChnender &ra"m% Schrei "nbe$"sster ArK!te nach ErlCs"ngG 2es :erges !eme (inie% 2ie schCn "nd kJhn im :la"en r"ht% )st denn a"ch sie n"r Aram#!% N"r $ilde S#ann"ng gKrender Nat"r% N"r Weh% n"r E"al% n"r sinnlos tastende% Nie rastende% nie selige :e$eg"ngG ?ch neinO Qerlass mich d"% "nholder &ra"m Qom (eid der WeltO 2ich $iegt ein BJckentan' im ?bendglast% 2ich $iegt ein Qogelr"!% Ein Windha"ch a"!% der mir die Stirn Bil Schmeicheln kJhlt. Qerlass mich d"% "raltes Benschen$ehO Bag alles E"al% Bag alles (eid "nd Schatten sein -2och diese eine sJsse Sonnenst"nde nicht% Lnd nicht der 2"!t vom roten Alee% Lnd nicht das tie!e% 'arte Wohlge!Jhl )n meiner Seele. P7879N

%3in' in *rass
)s this everything no$% the ."ick del"sions o! !lo$ers% ?nd the do$n colors o! the bright s"mmer meado$% &he so!t bl"e s#read o! heaven% the bees, song% )s this everything only a god,s +roaning dream% &he cry o! "nconscio"s #o$ers !or deliveranceG &he distant line o! the mo"ntain% &hat bea"ti!"lly and co"rageo"sly rests in the bl"e% )s this too only a conv"lsion% Only the $ild strain o! !ermenting nat"re% Only grie!% only agony% only meaningless !"mbling% Never resting% never a blessed movementG NoO (eave me alone% yo" im#"re dream O! the $orld in s"!!eringO &he dance o! tiny insects cradles yo" in an evening radiance% &he bird,s cry cradles yo"%

? breath o! $ind cools my !orehead With consolation. (eave me alone% yo" "nend"rably old h"man grie!O (et it all be #ain% (et it all be s"!!ering% let it be $retched -:"t not this one s$eet ho"r in the s"mmer% ?nd not the !ragrance o! the red clover% ?nd not the dee# tender #leas"re )n my so"l.

0ie sind die 5age. . .

Wie sind die &age sch$erO ?n keinem e"er kann ich er$annen% Aeine Sonne lacht mir mehr% )st alles leer% )st alles kalt "nd ohne Erbarmen% Lnd a"ch die lieben klaren Sterne scha"en mich trostlos an% Seit ich im Her'en er!ahren% 2ass (iebe sterben kann. P7877N

-ow -ea!3 the /a3s. . .

Ho$ heavy the days are. &here,s not a !ire that can $arm me% Not a s"n to la"gh $ith me% Everything bare% Everything cold and merciless% ?nd even the beloved% clear Stars look desolately do$n% Since ) learned in my heart that (ove can die.

In einer *ammlung +g67tischer Bildwerke

?"s den Edelsteina"gen :licket ihr still "nd e$ig Iber "ns s#Kte :rJder hin$eg. Nicht (iebe scheint noch Qerlangen E"ren schimmernd glatten MJgen bekannt. ACniglich "nd den +estirnen versch$istert Seid ihr Lnbegrei!lichen einst M$ischen &em#eln geschritten% Heiligkeit $eht $ie ein !erner +Ctterd"!t He"t noch "m c"re Stirnen% WJrde "m e"re Anie< E"re SchCnheit atmet gelassen% )hre Heimat ist E$igkeit. ?ber $ir% c"re DJngeren :rJder% &a"meln gottlos ein irres (eben entlang% ?llen E"alen der (eidenscha!t% Jeder brennenden Sehns"cht Steht "nsre 'itternde Seele gierig geC!!net. Lnser Miel ist der &od% Lnser +la"be QergKnglichkeit% Aeiner Meiten!erne &rot't "nser !lehendes :ildnis. 2ennoch tragen a"ch $ir Heimlicher Seelenver$andtscha!t Berkmal )n die Seele gebrannt% ?hnen +Ctter "nd !Jhlen vor e"ch% Sch$eigende :ilder der Qor'eit% "rchtlose (iebe. 2enn sehet% Lns ist kein Wesen verhasst% a"ch der &od nicht% (eiden "nd Sterben Schreckt "nsre Seele nicht% Weil $ir tie!er '" lieben gelerntO Lnser Her' ist des Qogels% )st des Beeres "nd Walds% "nd $ir nennen Sklaven "nd :lende :rJder% Nennen mit (iebesnamen noch &ier "nd Stein. So a"ch $erden die :ildnisse Lnsres vegKnglichen Seins Nicht im harten Steine "ns Jberda"ern< (Kchelnd $erden sie sch$inden Lnd im !lJchtigen Sonnensta"b Jeder St"nde '" ne"en re"den "nd E"alen Lnged"ldig "nd e$ig a"!erstehn.

P7879N

In a .ollection o) E'30tian (cul0tures

O"t o! De$eled eyes Silent and eternal% yo" ga'e a$ay Over "s late brothers. Neither love nor longing a##ears to be kno$n among Ho"r smooth gleaming #rocession. Once% inconceivable% yo" $alked% maDestic :rothers and sisters o! constellations% ?mong the tem#les. Even today% holiness like the distant !ragrance o! gods 2ri!ts ro"nd yo"r bro$s% 2ignity ro"nd yo"r knees* Ho"r bea"ty breathes calmly% Ho"r home is eternity. :"t $e% yo"r yo"nger brothers% Stagger godless thro"gh a con!"sing li!e% O"r trembling so"ls stand eagerly% o#ened &o all the s"!!erings o! #assion% &o every b"rning desire. O"r goal is death% O"r belie! a belie! in $hat #erishes% No great distance o! time de!ies O"r !leeting !aces. Nevertheless% $e also :ear% b"rned into o"r very so"ls% &he sign o! a secret a!!inity to the s#irit% We have a !oreboding o! gods% a !eeling !or yo"% )mages o! the silent #ast% ? !earless love. (ook* We hate nothing that e-ists% not even death% S"!!ering and dying 2oes not horri!y o"r so"ls% ?s long as $e learn more dee#ly to love. O"r heart is the bird,s heart% ?nd it belongs to the sea and the !orest% and $e name Slaves and $retches o"r brothers% We still name $ith loving names both animal and stone. So also the images O! o"r #erishing lives $ill not s"rvive "s )n hard stone*

&hey $ill vanish smiling% ?nd in the !lickering d"st o! s"nlight Every ho"r to ne$ Doys and "nha##iness% )m#atient% eternal% they $ill rise.

1hne dich
Bein Aissen scha"t mich an '"r Nacht (eer $ie ein &otenstein< So bitter hatt ich,s nie gedacht% ?llein '" sein Lnd nicht in deinem Haar gebettet seinO )ch lieg allein im stillen Ha"s% 2ie ?m#el a"sgetan% Lnd strecke sacht die HKnde a"s% 2ie deinen '" "m!ahn% Lnd drKnge leis den heissen B"nd Nach dir "nd kJss mich matt "nd $"nd -Lnd #lCt'lich bin ich a"!ge$acht Lnd rings"m sch$eigt die kalte Nacht% 2er Stern im enster schimmert klar -O d"% $o ist dein blondes Haar% Wo ist dein sJsser B"ndG N"n trink ich Weh in Deder ("st Lnd +i!t in Dedem Wein< So bitter hatt ich,s nie ge$"sst% ?llein '" sein% ?llein "nd ohne dich '" seinO P7879N

Without You
By #illo$ ga'es "#on me at night Em#ty as a gravestone< ) never tho"ght it $o"ld be so bitter &o be alone% Not to lie do$n aslee# in yo"r hair.

) lie alone in a silent ho"se% &he hanging lam# darkened% ?nd gently stretch o"t my hands &o gather in yo"rs% ?nd so!tly #ress my $arm mo"th &o$ard yo"% and kiss mysel!% e-ha"sted and $eak -&hen s"ddenly ),m a$ake ?nd all aro"nd me the cold night gro$s still. &he star in the $indo$ shines clearly -Where is yo"r blond hair% Where yo"r s$eet mo"thG No$ ) drink #ain in every delight ?nd #oison in every $ine< ) never kne$ it $o"ld be so bitter &o be alone% ?lone% $itho"t yo".

(ie ersten Blumen

Neben dem :ach 2en roten Weiden nach Haben in diesen &agen +elbe :l"men viel )hre +olda"gen a"!geschlagen. Lnd mir% der lKngst a"s der Lnsch"ld !iel% >Jhrt sich Erinner"ng im +r"nde ?n meines (ebens goldene Borgenst"nde Lnd sieht mich hell a"s :l"mena"gen an. )ch $ollte :l"men brechen gehn< N"n lass ich sie alle stehn Lnd gehe heim% ein alter Bann. P7879N

The First Flowers

:eside the brook &o$ard the $illo$s% 2"ring these days So many yello$ !lo$ers have o#ened

&heir eyes into gold. ) have long since lost my innocence% yet a memory &o"ches my de#th% the golden ho"rs o! morning% and ga'es :rilliantly "#on me o"t o! the eyes o! !lo$ers. ) $as going to #ick !lo$ers< No$ ) leave them all standing ?nd $alk home% an old man.

Fr'hlingstag
Wind im +estrK"ch "nd Qogel#!i!! Lnd hoch im hCchsten sJssen :la" Ein stilles% stol'es Wolkenschi!!. . . )ch trK"me von einer blonden ra"% )ch trK"me von meiner J"gend'eit% 2er hohe Himmel bla" "nd $eit )st meiner Sehns"cht Wiege% 2arin ich stillgesinnt Lnd selig $arm Bit leisem S"mmen liege% So $ie in seiner B"tter ?rm Ein Aind. P7879N

(0rin' /a3
Wind in b"shes and bird #i#ing ?nd high in the highest !resh bl"e ? ha"ghty clo"d shi#% becalmed. . . ) dream o! a blond $oman% ) dream o! my yo"th% &he high heaven bl"e and o"ts#read )s the cradle o! my longing Where ) choose to lie calm ?nd blessedly $arm With the so!t h"mming% J"st like a child held On his mother,s arm.

Feierliche )bendmusik
-llegro +e$Clk 'erreisst< vom glJhenden Himmel her )rrt ta"melndes (icht Jber geblendete &Kler. Bitge$eht vom !Chnigen St"rm lieh ich mit "nermJdetem Schritt 2"rch ein be$Clktes (eben. Oh% dass n"r immer !Jr ?"genblicke M$ischen mir "nd dem e$igen (icht +Jtig ein St"rm die gra"en Nebel ver$ehtO remdes (and "mgibt mich% (osgerissen treibt von der Heimat !ern Bich des Schicksals mKchtige Woge "mher. Jage die Wolken% Chn% >eisse die Schleier hin$eg% 2ass mir (icht a"! die '$ei!elnden 0!ade !allel. -ndante )mmer $ieder trCstlich Lnd immer ne" in e$iger SchC#!"ng +lan' (acht mir die Welt ins ?"ge% (ebt "nd regt sich in ta"send atmenden ormen% lattert alter im sonnigen Wind% Segelt Sch$albe in seliger :lK"e% StrCmt Beer!l"t am !elsigen Strand. )mmer $ieder ist Stern "nd :a"m% )st mir Wolke "nd Qogel nahe ver$andt% +rJsst mich als :r"der der els% >"!t mir !re"ndscha!tlich das "nendliche Beer. Lnverstanden !Jhrt mich mein Weg Einer bla" verlorenen erne '"% Nirgend ist Sinn% nirgend ist sicheres Miel -2ennoch redet mir Deder Waldbach% Jede s"mmende liege von tie!em +eset'% Heiliger Ordn"ng% 2eren Himmelsge$Clb, a"ch mich Jbers#annt% 2eren heimliches &Cnen Wie im +ang der +estirne So a"ch in meines Her'ens &aktschlag klingt.

-dagio &ra"m gibt% $as &ag verschloss< Nachts% $enn der Wille erliegt% Streben be!reite ArK!te em#or% +Cttlicher ?hn"ng !olgend. Wald ra"scht "nd Strom% "nd d"rch der regen Seele Nachtbla"en Himmel Wetterle"chten $eht. )n mir "nd a"sser mir )st "ngeschieden% Welt "nd ich ist eins. Wolke $eht d"rch mein Her'% Wald trK"mt meinen &ra"m% Ha"s "nd :irnba"m er'Khlt mir 2ie vergessene Sage gemeinsamer Aindheit. StrCme hallen "nd Schl"chten schatten in mir% Bond ist "nd bleicher Stern mein vertra"ter +es#iele. ?ber die milde Nacht% 2ie sich Jber mich mit san!tem +e$Clke neigt% Hat meiner B"tter +esicht% AJsst mich lKchelnd in "nerschC#!licher (iebe% SchJttelt trK"merisch $ie in alter Meit )hr geliebtes Ha"#t% "nd ihr Haar Wallt d"rch die Welt% "nd es 'ittern :lass a"!'"ckend darin die ta"send Sterne. P7877N

-olida3 ,usic in the E!enin'

-llegro &he clo"dbank breaks "#< do$n !rom the l"mino"s heaven +iddy light !"mbles across the beda''led valleys. :lo$n by the storm o! so"th $ind ) !l"tter along% "n$earied% &hro"gh an overcast li!e. Oh% i! only !or a moment :et$een me and the light that lasts !orever ? storm $o"ld be kind eno"gh to shatter the !og. Strange co"ntry s"rro"nds me% Over$helming breakers drive me% torn loose ar a$ay% !rom my home to this #lace. So"th $ind% h"nt do$n the clo"ds%

&ear the veil a$ay% So light can !all on me among the con!"sing #aths. -ndante ?gain% every time% com!orting ?nd% every time% ne$ in the gleam o! endless creation% &he $orld la"ghs in my eyes% ;omes alive and stirs into a tho"sand breathing !orms% :"tter!lies t"mble in the $ind streaming $ith s"nlight% S$allo$s sail into the blessing% the bl"e light% Sea $aves stream on the beach rocks. ?gain% every time% star and tree% ;lo"d and bird% my close kindred< &he stone greets me as brother% &he "nending sea calls me% !riendly. By road% that ) do not "nderstand% leads me &o$ard a bl"e% lost distance% No$here a meaning% no$here a de!inite goal -Nevertheless% every !orest brook s#eaks to me% ?nd every h"mming !ly% o! a dee# la$% ? right $ay that is holy% Whose !irmament s#reads o"t above me also% Whose secret tones% ?s in the #ace o! the stars% :eat time in my heart as $ell. -dagio ? dream gives $hat the day $ore o"t< ?t night% $hen the conscio"s $ill s"rrenders% Some #o$ers% set !ree% reach "#$ard% Sensing something godly% and !ollo$ing. &he $oods r"stle% and the stream% and thro"gh the night-bl"e sky O! the ."ick so"l% the s"mmer lightning blo$s. &he $orld and my sel!% everything Within and $itho"t me% gro$s into one. ;lo"ds dri!t thro"gh my heart% Woods dream my dream% Ho"se and #ear tree tell me &he !orgotten story o! common childhood. Streams reso"nd and gorges cast shado$s in me% &he moon% and the !aint star% my close !riends. :"t the mild night%

&hat bo$s $ith its gentle clo"ds above me% Has my mother,s !ace% Aisses me% smiling% $ith ine-ha"stible love% Shakes her head dreamily ?s she "sed to do% and her hair Waves thro"gh the $orld% and $ithin it &he tho"sand stars% sh"ddering% t"rn #ale.

(enken an den Freund bei %acht

((eptem"er 191@) rJh kommt in diesem bCsen Jahr der Herbst. . . )ch geh bei Nacht im eld% allein% den Wind am H"t% 2er >egen klirrt. . . Lnd d"G Lnd d"% mein re"ndG 2" stehst -- vielleicht -- "nd siehst den Sichelmond )m kleinen :ogen Jber WKlder gehn Lnd :i$ak!e"er rot im sch$ar'en &al. 2" liegst -- vielleicht -- im eld a"! Stroh "nd schlK!st Lnd Jber Stirn "nd Wa!!enrock !Kllt kalt der &a". Aann sein% d" bist '" 0!erde diese Nacht% Qor#osten% s#Khend "nter$egs% >evolver in der a"st% lJsternd "nd lKchelnd mit dem mJden +a"l. Qielleicht -- ich denk mir,s so -- bist d" die Nacht )n einem !remden Schloss "nd 0ark '" +ast Lnd schreibst bei Aer'enlicht an einem :rie!% Lnd ti##st am lJgel im QorJbergehn ?"! klingende &asten. . . -- Lnd vielleicht :ist d" schon still% schon tot% "nd deinen lieben Ernstha!ten ?"gen scheint der &ag nicht mehr% Lnd deine liebe% bra"ne Hand hKngt $elk% Lnd deine $eisse Stirne kla!!t -- o hKtt ich% HKtt ich dir einmal noch% am let'ten &ag% HKtt ich dir et$as noch ge'eigt% gesagt Qon meiner (iebe% die '" schJchtern $arO 2" kennst mich Da% d" $eisst. . . Lnd lKchelnd nickst 2" in die Nacht vor deinem !remden Schloss% Lnd nickst a"! deinem 0!erd im nassen Wald%

Lnd nickst im Schla! a"! deiner harten Stre"% Lnd denkst an mich "nd lKchelst. Lnd vielleicht% Qielleicht kommst d" einmal vom Arieg '"rJck% Lnd eines ?bends trittst d" bei mir ein% Ban s#richt von (ong$y% (Jttich% 2ammerkirch% Lnd lKchelt ernst% "nd alles ist $ie einst% Lnd keiner sagt ein Wort von seiner ?ngst% Qon seiner ?ngst "nd MKrtlichkeit bei Nacht im eld% Qon seiner (iebe. Lnd mit einem Wit' Schreckst d" die ?ngst% den Arieg% die bangen NKchte% 2as Wetterle"chten sche"er BKnner!re"ndscha!t )ns kJhle Nie "nd Nimmermehr '"rJck. P7879N

Thinkin' o) a Friend at Ni'ht

((eptem"er 191@) )n this evil year% a"t"mn comes early. . . ) $alk by night in the !ield% alone% the rain clatters% &he $ind on my hat. . . ?nd yo"G ?nd yo"% my !riendG Ho" are standing -- maybe -- and seeing the sickle moon Bove in a small arc over the !orests ?nd bivo"ac !ire% red in the black valley. Ho" are lying -- maybe -- in a stra$ !ield and slee#ing ?nd de$ !alls cold on yo"r !orehead and battle Dacket. )t,s #ossible tonight yo",re on horseback% &he !arthest o"t#ost% #eering along% $ith a g"n in yo"r !ist% Smiling% $his#ering% to yo"r e-ha"sted horse. Baybe -- ) kee# imagining -- yo" are s#ending the night ?s a g"est in a strange castle $ith a #ark ?nd $riting a letter by candlelight% and ta##ing On the #iano keys by the $indo$% +ro#ing !or a so"nd. . . -- ?nd maybe Ho" are already silent% already dead% and the day Will shine no longer into yo"r beloved Serio"s eyes% and yo"r beloved bro$n hand hangs $ilted% ?nd yo"r $hite !orehead s#lit o#en -- Oh% i! only% )! only% D"st once% that last day% ) had sho$n yo"% told yo" Something o! my love% that $as too timid to s#eakO

:"t yo" kno$ me% yo" kno$. . . and% smiling% yo" nod &onight in !ront o! yo"r strange castle% ?nd yo" nod to yo"r horse in the drenched !orest% ?nd yo" nod in yo"r slee# to yo"r harsh cl"tter o! stra$% ?nd think abo"t me% and smile. ?nd maybe% Baybe some day yo" $ill come back !rom the $ar% ?nd take a $alk $ith me some evening% ?nd somebody $ill talk abo"t (ong$y% (Jttich% 2ammerkirch% ?nd smile gravely% and everything $ill be as be!ore% ?nd no one $ill s#eak a $ord o! his $orry% O! his $orry and tenderness by night in the !ield% O! his love. ?nd $ith a single Doke Ho" $ill !righten a$ay the $orry% the $ar% the "neasy nights% &he s"mmer lightning o! shy h"man !riendshi#% )nto the cool #ast that $ill never come back.

2erbsttag
(N<*E6,E8 191@) Jr ?"genblicke sch$eigt die erne mir% Lnd alle :erge le"chten :lK"lich herJber a"s der !e"chten Novemberl"!t in D"nger% $eisser Mier. 2ie blanken +i#!el stehen% Wie ich in g"ter Meit Sie o!t voll ("st gesehen Lnd $eit hin"nter !risch verschneit. Aein Bensch rings"m% die Herden sind im &al% Qerlassene Weiden sch$eigen $interkahl. ?"! kJhler >ast mess ich die erne Bit r"higem :lick% "nd sehe ?bendbla"% Lnd ahne hinterm +rat die ersten Sterne% Lnd $ittre atmend nahen >ei! "nd &a" -2a mit dem ?bendscha"er Aommt mir Erinner"ng '"rJck Lnd Morn "nd (eid "nd tie!e &ra"er -?de% mein WanderglJckO

Lnd $ieder stehen meine +edanken Mitternd Jber dem !ernen Aam#!% ?tmen :rand% atmen Schlachtendam#!% Mittern mit ta"send Qer$"ndeten% Sterbenden% Aranken% S"chen mit verirrtem +e!Jhl (iebe :rJder im 2onner "nd Schlachtge$Jhl% HKngen $ie Ainder an g"ter B"tter Hand 2ankbar "nd bangend am lieben Qaterland. P7879N

Autu&n /a3
(N<*E6,E8 191@) or moments at a time% the distance is silent% ?nd all the mo"ntains gro$ light :l"e overhead% and glo$ in the moist November air like yo"ng $hite ornaments. &he hillto#s stand bare ?s so o!ten% Doy!"lly% ),ve seen them )n a better time With !resh sno$ !allen beneath them. Not a #erson aro"nd me% the !locks are in the valley% ?bandoned meado$s lie still in their $inter nakedness. )n a cool resting #lace% ) meas"re the distance With a #eace!"l ga'e% and ) see the bl"e o! the evening% ?nd sense the !irst star behind the ridge% ?nd% breathing in% ) sense the a##roaching rost and de$. &hen% $ith my evening shiver% Bemory comes back to me ?nd !"ry and s"!!ering and dee# lamentation -So m"ch !or my Doy in $andering. ?nd again my tho"ghts stand "# &rembling over the distant str"ggle% )nhale gangrene% inhale the reek o! the battle% &remble $ith tho"sands o! the $o"nded% the dying% the sick% ?nd search% $ith bl"ndering !eelings% or beloved brothers in the blasting and tearing o! the battle% ?nd cling like children to the hands o! their good mother +rate!"l and !"ll o! ang"ish !or my !atherland.

(en 3indern
(ENDE 191@) )hr $isst nichts von der Meit% Wisst n"r% dass irgend$o im Weiten Ein Arieg geschlagen $ird% )hr 'immert Hol' '" Sch$ert "nd Schild "nd S#eer Lnd kKm#!t im +arten selig e"er S#iel% Schlagt Melte a"!% &ragt $eisse :inden mit dem roten Are"'. Lnd hat mein liebster W"nsch !Jr e"ch +e$alt% So bleibt der Arieg Jr e"ch n"r d"nkle Sage alle'eit% So steht ihr nie im eld Lnd tCtet nie Lnd !liehet nie a"s brand'erstCrtem Ha"s. 2ennoch sollt ihr einst Arieger sein Lnd sollt einst $issen% 2ass dieses (ebens sJsser ?tem% 2ass dieses Her'schlags liebes Eigent"m N"r (ehen ist% "nd dass d"rch e"er :l"t Qergangenheit "nd ?hnenerbe Lnd !ernste M"k"n!t rollt% Lnd dass !"r Dedes Haar a"! e"rem Ha"#t Ein Aam#!% ein Weh% ein &od erlitten $ard. Lnd $issen sollt ihr% dass der Edle )n seiner Seele immer Arieger ist% ?"ch der nie Wa!!en tr"g% 2ass Deden &ag ein eind% 2ass Deden &ag ein Aam#! "nd Schicksal $artet. Qergesst es nichtO +edenkt des :l"ts% der Schlachten% der MerstCr"ng% ?"! denen e"re M"k"n!t r"ht% Lnd $ie a"! &od "nd O#!er vieler 2as kleinste +lJck sich ba"t. 2ann $erdet ihr das (eben lodernder Lnd $erdet inniger einst den &od "marmen. P7879N

To .hildren
(-t the End o% 191@) Ho" kno$ nothing o! time% Ho" kno$ only that% some$here in the distance% ? $ar is being !o"ght% Ho" $hittle yo"r $ood into s$ord and shield and s#ear ?nd #lay yo"r game bliss!"lly in the garden% Set "# tents% ;arry $hite bandages marked $ith the red cross. ?nd i! my $ish !or yo" has any #o$er% So $ar $ill remain or yo"% al$ays% only a dim legend% So yo" $ill never stand in the !ield ?nd never die ?nd never r"sh o"t o! a ho"se cr"mbling in !ire. Nevertheless% yo" $ill be soldiers one day ?nd one day yo" $ill kno$ &hat the s$eet breath o! this li!e% &he #recio"s #ossession o! the heartbeat% )s only a loan% and that $hatever $as lost )n the #ast% and the heir yo" long !or% ?nd the !arthest !"t"re% >olls thro"gh yo"r blood% ?nd that !or every hair on yo"r head Somebody end"red one str"ggle% one #ain% one death. ?nd yo" shall kno$ that $hatever is noble )n yo"r so"l is al$ays a $arrior% Even tho"gh he bears no $ea#ons% &hat every day a str"ggle and a destiny is $aiting. 2o not !orget thisO &hink o! the blood% the shambles% the r"in On $hich yo"r o$n !"t"re re#oses% ?nd ho$% even more% "#on death and sacri!ice is b"ilded &he tiniest ha##iness. &hen yo"r li!e $ill !lame o"t more ?nd one day gather even death )nto its arms.

)uch die Blumen

?"ch die :l"men leiden den &od% 2ie doch ohne Sch"ld sind. So a"ch ist "nser Wesen rein Lnd leidet n"r Schmer'% Wo es sich selber nicht mag verstehn. Was $ir Sch"ld genannt% )st von der Sonne a"!gesogen% Aommt lKngst a"s reinen Aelchen der :l"men Lns entgegen als 2"!t "nd rJhrender Ainderblick. Lnd $ie die :l"men sterben% So sterben a"ch $ir N"r den &od der ErlCs"ng% N"r den &od der Wiedergeb"rt. P7877N

Flowers, Too
lo$ers% too% s"!!er death% ?nd yet they are g"iltless. So% too% o"r o$n being is #"re ?nd s"!!ers only grie!% Where $e o"rselves do not $ish to "nderstand. What $e call g"ilt )s absorbed by the s"n% )t comes to meet "s o"t o! the #"re throats O! !lo$ers% !ragrance and the moving ga'e o! children. ?nd as !lo$ers die% So $e die% too% Only the death o! deliverance% Only the death o! rebirth.

)ngst in der %acht

2ie Lhr s#richt Kngstlich mit dem S#inn$eb an der Wand% ?m (aden reisst der Wind%

Beine !lackernden Aer'en sind +an' vertro#!t "nd her"ntergebrannt% Aein Wein im +lase mehr% Schatten in alien Ecken% 2eren lange inger sich nach mir strecken. Wie in der Ainder'eit Schliess ich die ?"gen "nd atme sch$er% ?ngst hKlt mich ka"ernd im St"hl ge!angen. ?ber keine B"tter kommt mehr% Aeine g"te% scheltende Bagd mehr gegangen% 2ie mich am ?rm nimmt "nd mir die schreckliche Welt re"ndlich ent'a"bert and ne" mit &rost erhellt. (ange bleib ich im instern ka"ern% HCre den Wind im 2ach "nd den knisternden &od in den Ba"ern% HCre Sand hinter &a#eten rinnen% HCre den &od mit !rierenden ingern s#innen% >eisse die ?"gen a"!% $ill ihn sehen "nd grei!en% Sehe ins (eere "nd hCre ihn !ern ?"s den s#Cttischen (i##en leise #!ei!en% &aste '"m :ett -- schlie!e% schlie!e so gernO ?ber Schla! ist ein sche"er Qogel ge$orden% Sch$er '" !angen% '" halten% doch leicht '" morden< 0!ei!end !Khrt er% die Stimme voll bittrem Hohn% Sa"senden l"ges im 'errenden Winde davon. P7877N

5neasiness in the Ni'ht

&he clock s#eaks "neasily $ith the s#ider $eb on the $all% &he $ind tears at the sh"tters% By !lickering candles are Ltterly dri##ed a$ay and b"rned do$n% No more $ine in the glass% Shado$s in every corner Whose long !ingers stretch o"t to$ard me. J"st as in childhood ) close my eyes and breathe heavily% Lneasiness cl"tches me co$ering in my chair% :"t no mother comes any more% No kindly% scolding maid comes to me any more So !riendly% she charmed the horri!ying $orld ?$ay !rom me and brightened me ne$ $ith com!ort.

) stay a long time% co$ering in the darkness% Hear the $ind in the roo! and crackling death in the $alls% Hear sand r"nning behind the $all#a#er% Hear death s#inning $ith his cold !ingers< ) !orce my eyes o#en% ) $ant to look and to gras#% (ook into the em#tiness and hear him !ar o!! Whistling lightly o"t o! his mocking li#s% ) edge into bed -- ) $ish ) co"ld slee#O :"t slee# has t"rned into a !rightened bird% 2i!!ic"lt to catch% to hold% yet easy to kill< Whistling he !lies o!!% his voice !"ll o! bitter disdain% &he r"stling o! a $ing% a$ay in the straining $ind.

)lle 5ode
?lle &ode bin ich schon gestorben% ?lle &ode $ill ich $ieder sterben% Sterben den hCl'ernen &od im :a"m% Sterben den steinernen &od im :erg% )rdenen &od im Sand% :lKtternen &od im knisternden Sommergras Lnd den armen% bl"tigen Benschentod. :l"me $ill ich $ieder geboren $erden% :a"m "nd +ras $ill ich $ieder geboren $erden% isch "nd Hirsch% Qogel "nd Schmetterling. Lnd a"s Deder +estalt Wird mich Sehns"cht reissen die St"!en M" den let'ten (eiden% M" den (eiden des Benschen hinan. O 'itternd ges#annter :ogen% Wenn der Sehns"cht rasende a"st :eide 0ole des (ebens M"einander '" biegen verlangtO O!t noch "nd o!tmals $ieder Wirst d" mich Dagen von &od '" +eb"rt 2er +estalt"ngen schmer'volle :ahn% 2er +estalt"ngen herrliche :ahn. P78=7N

All /eaths
) have already died all deaths% ?nd ) am going to die all deaths again% 2ie the death o! the $ood in the tree% 2ie the stone death in the mo"ntain% Earth death in the sand% (ea! death in the crackling s"mmer grass ?nd the #oor bloody h"man death. ) $ill be born again% !lo$ers% &ree and grass ) $ill be born again% ish and deer% bird and b"tter!ly. ?nd o"t o! every !orm% (onging $ill drag me "# the stair$ays &o the last s"!!ering% L# to the s"!!ering o! men. O ."ivering tensed bo$% When the raging !ist o! longing ;ommands both #oles o! li!e &o bend to each otherO Het o!ten% and many times over% Ho" $ill h"nt me do$n !rom death to birth On the #ain!"l track o! the creations% &he glorio"s track o! the creations.

*can %otes, v8.9: 0roo!ed care!"lly against 2&% italics and s#ecial characters intact. 2id sight com#arisons o! the +erman% b"t since ) cannot read +erman ) may have missed some s#elling errors.