POEM
Static Poems
Deafness to imperatives
is profundity in the wise man,
children and grandchildren
don’t bother him,
don’t alarm him.
To represent a particular outlook,
to act,
to travel hither and yon
are all signs of a world
that doesn’t see clearly.
In front of my window
—wise man says—
is a valley
where shadows pool,
two poplars mark a path,
leading you will know where to.
Perspective
is another word for stasis:
you draw lines,
they ramify
like a creeper—
tendrils explode—
and they disburse crows in swarms
in the winter red of early dawns
then let them settle—
you will know—for whom.
Translated by Michael Hofmann
Source: Poetry (November 2009).
This poem originally appeared in the November 2009 issue of Poetry.
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Gottfried Benn (1886-1956) served in the German army’s medical corps during WWI and . . . MORE »
