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“Corner by the Forest” by Georg Trakl 🇦🇹 (3 Feb 1887 – 3 Nov 1914)
Translated from the German by Jim Doss & Werner Schmitt
Brown chestnuts. Quietly the old people glide
In the more silent evening; beautiful leaves wither tenderly.
At the cemetery the blackbird jokes with the dead cousin,
The blond teacher gives escort to Angela.
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Death’s pure images look from church windows;
However, a bloody ground appears very mournful and somberly.
The gate remained locked today; the sexton has the key.
In the garden the sister speaks friendly with ghosts.
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In old cellars the wine ripens into gold, clarity.
Apples smell sweet. Joy shines not too far away.
Children gladly hear fairy tales through the long evening;
Also gold, truth often come out in soft insanity.
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The blue flows full of mignonettes; candlelight in rooms.
For the modest their place is well prepared.
Down the edge of the forest a lonely destiny glides;
The night appears, the angel of rest, on the threshold.