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    AC Benus
  • AC Benus
  • Author
  • 03/30/2024
  • 350 Words
  • 233 Views
  • 4 Comments
Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

The Ultimate Vehicle of Earthly Bliss - 11. Release

.

Ein Lied vom Tod

(an Novalis gegeben)

 

Sieh wie zärtlich ist der Tod –

Kommt mit weichen leisen Händen,

Nimmt dir deine letzte Not

Laß dich nicht vom Leben schänden

Sieh wie zärtlich ist der Tod

 

Flammend rot sind seine Kränze

Und du neigst dich seinen Küssen

Und er führt dich zu der Grenze,

Wo du schweigst vor selgem Wissen

Flammend rot sind seine Kränze.

 

Heimat ist für dich der Tod

Heimatlos war dir das Leben

Herz, zerbrich nun deine Not –

Darfst einmal dein Letztes geben

Darfst – einmal – dein – Letztes – geben. [i]

 

 

--------------------------------- 

 

Death’s Song

(Actually by Novalis)

 

See how loving Death can be –

Coming with such gentle, soft hands

To negate every last need

And keep life from ravaging you

See how loving Death can be

 

Flaming red are his laurel wreaths

While you’re bending to his kisses

While he leads you to the border,

Where knowledge itself is quiet

Flaming red are his laurel wreaths.

 

For Death is a home for you

And life nothing but homelessness

So heart, negate your last need –

Allow yourself to give your all

Allow – for once – your – final – release.

 

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[i] “Ein Lied vom Tod” Toni Schwabe, Ibid., p. 61

https://archive.org/details/3476447/page/60/mode/2up

Schwabe’s annotation of “an Novalis gegeben” presents a problem. A cursory glance might suggest her meaning is that the poem was “Provided to Novalis.” On reflection, however, this seems an odd thing to say. Presented when, and by whom? In other words, why not credit the poet who actually wrote it, and not Novalis as the mere receiver of the work?

An equally plausible understanding of the phrase is “Actually by Novalis,” which I have used. Poets through the centuries have written pieces in the style of admired predecessors, and many of the creators have said these works were “Actually by” so and so.

In any event – provided to, or actually by – Death’s Song was certainly written by Toni Schwabe.

_

Copyright © 2024 AC Benus; All Rights Reserved.
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Parker Owens

I was quite prepared to consider this poem from a somber, grey-shaded point of view. Your thought

5 hours ago, AC Benus said:

I've come to the believe that Schwabe's references to death are along the lines of la petite mort.

tells me I should have known better. The paradoxical, dissonant  For Death is a home for you, and life nothing but homelessness…. resolves in that light. 

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AC Benus

AC Benus 36,635

Posted (edited)

On 3/30/2024 at 6:59 PM, Parker Owens said:

I was quite prepared to consider this poem from a somber, grey-shaded point of view. Your thought

tells me I should have known better. The paradoxical, dissonant  For Death is a home for you, and life nothing but homelessness…. resolves in that light. 

Thanks, Parker. Such an understanding of Schwabe's refrain-like mentions of death came to me only slowly. But plugging in a climax denominator for her usage of the term seems to work in all situations. So . . . lol . . . I'm goin' with it!   

Edited by AC Benus
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