Downfall
by Georg Trakl
(To Karl Borromaeus Heinrich)
Over the white pond
the savage birds draw away.
At twilight an icier wind blows about our star.
The split forehead of night bends
across our graves.
Under oaks we shudder on a silver barge.
Forever ring the whitewashed walls of the city.
Under a dome of thorns
O my brother we climb—blind hour hands to midnight.
Translated by Eric Plattner & Joseph Suglia
…………………………………………………………………………
Untergang
by Georg Trakl
(An Karl Borromaeus Heinrich)
Über den weißen Weiher
Sind die wilden Vögel fortgezogen.
Am Abend weht von unseren Sternen ein eisiger Wind.
Über unsere Gräber
Beugt sich die zerbrochene Stirne der Nacht.
Unter Eichen schaukeln wir auf einem silbernen Kahn.
Immer klingen die weißen Mauern der Stadt.
Unter Dornenbogen
O mein Bruder klimmen wir blinde Zeiger gen Mitternacht.
I’ve just now been translating this poem myself, so I’m very interested to see what you have done here. Very fine work. Thanks.
I’d love to see your finished translation. Send me a link?
I plan to post it on my blog later this morning. I’ll let you know when it’s there!
Okay, here’s my translation: http://nordicmountain.wordpress.com/
Nice work on the translation. I also like your brief explication of the poem’s rollercoaster ride, and the accompanying Rossi painting, which I’ve “borrowed” for my desktop background. ;)
Keep up the good work.