'Welt der gestalten lang lebewohl....'
A long farewell to the silhouetted world - goodbye
to that surreal forest
of glimmering ivoried trunks
crested toward the blue of brilliant skies
with foliage and fruits of brightest gold
and resinous lustrous carnelian's
deep-dyed amber hue.
After a sudden shower of blossom and rain
the marble basin, dripping, overflows
quicksilver spinning drops,
leaf and petal gathered at the brim
ready to fall.
A widening inclusive ring, cooling wonder,
duskiness of dawn and of desire,
foreboding silence as of those who dwell
surrounded here by deep wood's spell,
dream-rustling wings against the harp of dreams
softly vibrating down the forest glades.
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This poem is my 'impression' of Eingang from the Traumdunkel section of Stefan George's Der Siebente Ring. It is not a translation - indeed, it seems to me that translation of poetry from one language to another is a hopeless task. We can only hope to recreate in the new version something of the magic of the old. And this poem is full of magic.
9 июн 2012
