Hermann Hesse translation of 'The Poet' and 'Without You'
The Poet
by Hermann Hesse
translation by Michael R. Burch
Only upon me, the lonely one,
Do this endless night’s stars shine
As the fountain gurgles its faery song.
For me alone, the lonely one,
The shadows of vagabond clouds
Float like dreams over slumbering farms.
What is mine lies beyond possession:
Neither manor, nor pasture,
Neither forest, nor hunting permit …
What is mine belongs to no one:
The plunging brook beyond the veiling woods,
The terrifying sea,
The chick-like chatter of children at play,
The weeping and singing of a lonely man longing for love.
The temples of the gods are mine, also,
And the distant past’s aristocratic castles.
And mine, no less, the luminous vault of heaven,
My future home …
Often in flights of longing my soul soars heavenward,
Hoping to gaze on the halls of the blessed,
Where Love, overcoming the Law, unconditional Love for All,
Leaves them all nobly transformed:
Farmers, kings, tradesman, bustling sailors,
Shepherds, gardeners, one and all,
As they gratefully celebrate their heavenly festivals.
Only the poet is unaccompanied:
The lonely one who continues alone,
The recounter of human longing,
The one who sees the pale image of a future,
The fulfillment of a world
That has no further need of him.
Many garlands
Wilt on his grave,
But no one cares or remembers him.
Lonesome Night
by Hermann Hesse
translation by Michael R. Burch
Dear brothers, who are mine,
All people, near and far,
Wishing on every star,
Imploring relief from pain;
My brothers, stumbling, dumb,
Each night, as pale stars ache,
Lift thin, limp hands for crumbs,
mutter and suffer, awake;
Poor brothers, commonplace,
Pale sailors, who must live
Without a bright guide above,
We share a common face.
Return my welcome.
Without You
by Hermann Hesse
translation by Michael R. Burch
My pillow regards me tonight
Comfortless as a gravestone;
I never thought it would be so bitter
To face the night alone,
Not to lie asleep entangled in your hair.
I lie alone in this silent house,
The hanging lamp softly dimmed,
Then gently extend my hands
To welcome yours…
Softly press my warm mouth
To yours…
Only to kiss myself,
Then suddenly I'm awake
And the night grows colder still.
The star in the window winks knowingly.
Where is your blonde hair,
Your succulent mouth?
Now I drink pain in every former delight,
Find poison in every wine;
I never knew it would be so bitter
To face the night alone,
Alone, without you.
Tags: poet, love, lonely, alone, night, stars
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