Translation Trashbin - 11. Eva

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I worked on Ein alter Tibetteppich a year ago, and posting it afresh made me consider just how sensual and extraordinary it is. I asked Lyssa if she could point me in the direction of a few more Else Lasker-Schüler poems, and amongst the three she sent was this one. First published in 1905, it was a bold (read 'fearless') expression of same-sex love between the poet and her companion, Eva. However, as is so often the case, the oppression of the majority won out, and by the poem's first reprint in 1917, a spurious and nonsensical dedication of the poem to a man was awkwardly, parenthetically placed below the title by the publisher, or the bullied poet herself. Anyway, here is my translation of the original poem, and I'm proud to say it has Lyssa's blessing

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Eva

von Else Lasker-Schüler

Du hast deinen Kopf tief über mich gesenkt,

Deinen Kopf mit den goldenen Lenzhaaren,

Und deine Lippen sind von rosiger Seidenweichheit,

Wie die Blüten der Bäume Edens waren.

Und die keimende Liebe ist meine Seele.

O, meine Seele ist das vertriebene Sehnen,

Du liebzitterst vor Ahnungen –

... Und weißt nicht, warum deine Träume stöhnen.

Und ich liege schwer auf deinem Leben,

Eine tausendstämmige Erinnerung,

Und du bist so blutjung, so adamjung ...

Du hast deinen Kopf tief über mich gesenkt –

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Eva

by Else Lasker-Schüler

I watch you lower your head close to mine,

Your head with the golden braids of a bride,

And with your lips of rose, silky softness,

Out blooming trees in Eden's garden-side.

And germinating love is my spirit.

The displaced desire contained in my soul,

Causing trembles where our loves inhabit –

...Your moans crossing the edge of self-control.

For I weigh heavily where hearts reside,

A thousand-strong memory of the blameless,

And you, fresh as the fruit Eden supplied...

I watch you lower your head close to mine –

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