Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Volker Braun

Woken out of Dogmatic Slumber

Did you use the night? – I practised hopeful
Waiting. – Who for? What for? – You also know, do you,
The pain, sweet pain, of loving the one unknown? –
The unknown deed? – You mean? – What are you speaking of? –
The veins were almost bursting in my flesh.
How tired I am of crossing St Marks’s Square. –
Still dreaming, are you? Dreaming nevertheless? –
And the streets are waving in the winds of openness.

Aus dem dogmatischen Schlummer geweckt

Aus dem dogmatischen Schlummer geweckt

Hast du die Nacht genutzt? – Ich übte mich
In der Erwartung. – Wessen? – Kennst du auch
Den süßen Schmerz: die Unbekannte lieben? –
Die unbekannte Tat? – Wie? – Wovon sprichst du? –
Die Adern sprangen fast in meinem Fleisch.
Wie bin ichs müd, den Markusplatz zu queren. –
Du träumst, nicht wahr, du träumst mit Konsequenz. –
Und auf den Straßen weht die Transparenz.
Close

Woken out of Dogmatic Slumber

Did you use the night? – I practised hopeful
Waiting. – Who for? What for? – You also know, do you,
The pain, sweet pain, of loving the one unknown? –
The unknown deed? – You mean? – What are you speaking of? –
The veins were almost bursting in my flesh.
How tired I am of crossing St Marks’s Square. –
Still dreaming, are you? Dreaming nevertheless? –
And the streets are waving in the winds of openness.

Woken out of Dogmatic Slumber

Did you use the night? – I practised hopeful
Waiting. – Who for? What for? – You also know, do you,
The pain, sweet pain, of loving the one unknown? –
The unknown deed? – You mean? – What are you speaking of? –
The veins were almost bursting in my flesh.
How tired I am of crossing St Marks’s Square. –
Still dreaming, are you? Dreaming nevertheless? –
And the streets are waving in the winds of openness.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
Lira fonds
Versopolis
J.E. Jurriaanse
Gefinancierd door de Europese Unie
Elise Mathilde Fonds
Stichting Verzameling van Wijngaarden-Boot
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VDM
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