Lord, it is time.
A few weeks ago I attented a Poetry Hours session in which the group was presented with a poem in German. The invitation was to take inspiration from the poem and write a version in English. I took a two-stage approach: First I translated the poem into German more literally, and then I created a new version having added some more poetic flare. We had less than an hour so I can't say I'm in love with the end result but it was an enjoyable experience.
The Original
Herr: es ist Zeit. Der Sommer war sehr groß.Leg deinen Schatten auf die Sonnenuhren,und auf den Fluren laß die Winde los.
Befiehl den letzten Früchten voll zu sein;gib ihnen noch zwei südlichere Tage,dränge sie zur Vollendung hin und jagedie letzte Süße in den schweren Wein.
Wer jetzt kein Haus hat, baut sich keines mehr.Wer jetzt allein ist, wird es lange bleiben,wird wachen, lesen, lange Briefe schreibenund wird in den Alleen hin und herunruhig wandern, wenn die Blätter treiben.
Literal(ish) Translation
Lord, it is time, so bold was the summer.
Lay your shadows over the sundial,
And release the wind through corridors
Command the last fruits to ripen,
Let them still two more southerly days
Propel them to seek their completion
The resounding sweet in the bitter wine
Who now has no home, builds one no more.
Who now is alone, so they will stay
Will wake, will read, will long letters write
And will wander restless through alleys
As the leaves sprout.
My Version
Lord, it is time. So bold was the summer.
Over the sundial lay down your shadows,
And let loose the wind to make way.
Command the last fruits to ripen,
With still two more southerly days.
Propel them now to seek their completion
For in bitter wines they resound a sweet haze
For who now has no home, will grow no more,
Who now is alone, alone they will stay,
They will wake, will read, will long letters write,
And wander restless through avenues
Til leaves spring once again.
