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“Elis” by Georg Trakl 🇦🇹 (3 Feb 18873 Nov 1914)
Translated from the German by Jim Doss & Werner Schmitt
1.
Perfect is the stillness of this golden day.
Under ancient oaks
You appear, Elis, as one at rest with round eyes.
Their blue mirrors the slumber of lovers.
By your mouth
Their rosy sighs fell silent.
In the evening the fisherman hauled in the heavy nets.
A good shepherd
Leads his flock along the forest’s edge.
O! how righteous, Elis, are all your days.
Quietly
Along bleak walls the olive tree’s blue stillness sinks,
Fades away the dark song of an old man.
A golden boat
Sways your heart, Elis, in the lonely sky.
2.
A soft glockenspiel sounds in Elis’ breast
In the evening,
When his head sinks into the black pillow.
A blue deer
Quietly bleeds in the thorn brush.
A brown tree stands isolated there;
Its blue fruits have fallen from it.
Signs and stars
Sink down quietly in the evening pond.
Behind the hill it has become winter.
Blue doves
Drink at night the icy sweat
Which runs from Elis’ crystal forehead.
Always
God’s lonely wind sounds along black walls.