In Winter (In the year 1914) pg. 64

In Winter                                                 (In the year 1914)

White snow fell on hard ice

Very softly the silvery well murmurs

The naked boughs wage war with the cold

A swarm of winged birds flies off

                And only the storm moans and roars

                It brings complaints and melancholic sorrow

                That moan, that struggle, becomes muffled

                It turns from the world, it flies into the distance

Not long ago there was still a sun in the sky

It cast clear radiant heat

Not long ago, winter, from you

The powerful [wind] blew out life’s charm

                And today the tiny sun, pale and hazy

                Rolls its idle course through the grain fields.

                Green meadows and clean fields

                The thick fluffy snow covers

In the midst of a severe winter, in a shadowy room

The bread ran out, the wood ran out

And the soft crying becomes silent in the poor hut

O mother, call out your song of sorrow

Verse Dedicated to a Sad Girlfriend (Continued) pg. 63

I can’t die and I can’t live

For what use is life without you

            Sadly, gloomily here on this earth

            The wind wears at the trees

            And my life is that sad

            Because I don’t see you ________.[1]

Like a beggar are my desires

He seeks in a song and a memory

May God in high Heaven shorten my useless life

Give it to someone in the world who is happier[2] than poor me

            Remember me, because I [remember] you

            And my love will end in the grave

Sincere love does not die

My heart loves yours

I will not forget you

Until [I’m] under the cold grave

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[1] Blank in original

[2] Or “more fortunate”

Verse Dedicated to a Sad Girlfriend (Continued) pg. 62

And when, again and again in a free hour

A sad song knits your white temples

Remember alone[1]  that I alone

I wanted to love you [but] you despised me

The liquid of the coastal waves is continually peaceful

May God guide your little boat

In happiness[2], in unhappiness[3], remember me

            For I sincerely love you

            Fate drives us in different directions

            Like the gale [drives] the ocean waves

            But you me, and I you

            Let’s remember [each other] forever, always

Like a wildflower bends down modestly

Thus I beg you, Bronia, don’t forget me

Without you I go [my] way alone

Without any star in the sky

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[1] Crossed out in original

[2] Or “good fortune”

[3] Or “misfortune”

Verse Dedicated to a Sad Girlfriend (Continued) pg. 61

Verse Dedicated to a Sad Girlfriend (Continued)

When, again and again, when in a grey hour

Clouds knit your pale forehead

Remember that I alone

In the whole world love you sincerely

            The little bird is sad when they clip her wings

            But sadder is that girl who loves in vain

            Remember me, how that moist earth

            Forever presses on my heart

            Remember me when a lonely lily

            Shines over [my] grave like a goblet

Like a wildflower bends down the ear [of grain]

Thus, I beg you, give me a kiss

            May disease torment you forever

            May patient toil oppress you

            May every guy abandon you

            May your [own] ideal[1] abandon you

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[1] i.e. idol?

Verse Dedicated to a Sad Girlfriend pg. 60

Verse Dedicated to a Sad Girlfriend

Oh, if I were able- for your consolation

I would give [you] the charm of angelic sweetness

I would change your bitter tears into a smile

And free [your] soul of cares and bitterness

Oh, if I could, with a little song, drive away the clouds

That cast shadows of sadness on the youthful days of your life

I would write my song with the angelic chorus

[And] sing to you pleasure, hope, freedom

Your sad soul? May God help you

May the star of hope break through these shadows

May happiness brighten up your grief

May it sincerely lead [you] out of the storm, the lightning

            There are cares, thorns and pains aplenty in this life

            And more than openly, tears flow in secret

Loose Verses pg. 59

Loose Verses

In this world, already today

Everyone knows this

That when the wife is a candle

Then the husband is just a wick

            The more the wife desires to shine

            In this world

            At that time she sinks[1] [her] husband’s money

            Into [her] purse

A wife’s tongue- even in a pretty [wife]

Is many a time foolish

It’s a windmill that

Grinds grain to no purpose

            But the tongue, more than the windmill

            Usually takes the lead

            When it grinds and crushes

            Even when there’s no wind!

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[1] i.e “puts”

Variant! pg. 58

Variant!

When I dream alone at night

At that time, in [my] imagination

The specters of [my] young years stand

Happy and friendly

The happy murmur of young souls

Rejoices in my heart

As if the wondrous sound is heard

Of a favorite song

A spirited youth steps forth boldly

Strong with plenty of fire

Sparks pour from his eyes

[His] veins burn with fire

Where they merely appear

They soon awaken enchantment

All the girls willingly send forth

The sky-blue of longing eyes