(no subject)

[kassia]

Palmström an eine Nachtigall, die ihn nicht schlafen liess

Möchtest du dich nicht in einen Fisch verwandeln
und gesanglich dementsprechend handeln?
da es sonst unmöglich ist,
dass mir unternachts des Schlafes Labe
blüht, die ich nun doch notwendig habe!
Tu es, wenn du edel bist!

Deine Frau im Nest wird dich auch so bewundern,
wenn du gänzlich in der Art der Flundern
auftrittst und im Wipfel wohlig ruhst
oder, eine fliegende Makrele,
sie umflatterst, holde Philomele
(- die du mir gewiss die Liebe tust!).

Christian Morgenstern


Palmström to a nightingale who would not let him sleep

Can't you turn into a fish
and sing in fluent pisci-ish?
Otherwise I doubt
the night will bring refreshment sweet,
which I sincerely, sorely need.
Do it, you're no lout!

Your wife at nest will be beguiled,
turn your eye in flounder-style,
perch there in your tree.
I'm sure a flying mackerel
will flutter her, dear Philomel
(for the love of me!)

tr. google + me

Comments

[rifmeister.livejournal.com]

If I were to live my life
in catfish forms
in scaffolds of skin and whiskers
at the bottom of a pond
and you were to come by
one evening
when the moon was shining
down into my dark home
and stand there at the edge
of my affection
and think, "It's beautiful
here by this pond. I wish
somebody loved me,"
I'd love you and be your catfish
friend and drive such lonely
thoughts from your mind
and suddenly you would be
at peace,
and ask yourself, "I wonder
if there are any catfish
in this pond? It seems like
a perfect place for them."

From The Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster by Richard Brautigan,
published by Houghton Mifflin. Copyright © 1989 by Richard Brautigan.

[elbren]

very nice