Novemberstag (A Day in November)

Nebel hängt wie Rauch ums Haus ,
drängt die Welt nach innen ;
ohne Not geht niemand aus ,
alles fällt ins Sinnen .

Leiser wird die Hand , der Mund ,
stiller die Gebärde .
Heimlich , wie auf Meeresgrund ,
träumen Mensch und Erde .

(Fog hangs like smoke around the house,

Pulling the world within;

No one goes out unless under duress,

All falls to contemplation.

Softer are the hands, the mouth

Quieter are the gestures.

Secretly, as the seafloor,

Dream men and earth.)

Christian Morgenstern

Comments

Bill Cobabe said…

My German has become a little rusty over the years. But it's interesting what you remember, what comes back to you... This is a poem I learned when I was in high school. I (sometimes) miss the cold of the November's days when the world is dark and quiet, and when all you want to do is stay inside and be with your thoughts. Lovely little poem.

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