The Thousandth Regiment - 6. "Wind like the old days surrounds us in velvet"

It seems they march. There is time to look around and take in the sights and marvel at the natural beauty. Yet, their purpose, their reason for being there, is ever present.

2 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

It seems they march. There is time to look around and take in the sights and marvel at the natural beauty. Yet, their purpose, their reason for being there, is ever present.

Yes, indeed, Tim. Thank you for reading and commenting -- I guess it continues to rumble in our day as well, sadly

This poem is soft and gentle, not as stark as the others we've read so far. I looked at the first line several times. It made me think often do we read things without truly getting it?

Wind like the old days surrounds us in velvet

I read this and then had to look again.  It could have two meanings: Wind like it was in the old days, or Wind.. which is gentle like days gone by/the old days.  Truly, to me the first one doesn't really work here, the second does. A soft gentle wind wrapping around us like memories of the old days, when things were good and we didn't have to march to kill or be killed. 

This man's poetry is delicious and rich. Thanks, AC.

Here is a poem about the respite between the days of action. You translate the poet’s pastoral observations beautifully; this is indeed a pastorale movement, as one might find in baroque music. The poet is knows he’s never far from war. You convey this perfectly in the last lines. 

When I read this poem, I feel so sorry for the young man, who was described by friends as a sensitive, pensive, melancholy person. Sonnet No 6 gives a glimps, how he yearned life and yet heard the rattle of death near. Magnificent translation @AC Benus.

On 8/10/2019 at 9:36 AM, MichaelS36 said:

This poem is soft and gentle, not as stark as the others we've read so far. I looked at the first line several times. It made me think often do we read things without truly getting it?

Wind like the old days surrounds us in velvet

I read this and then had to look again.  It could have two meanings: Wind like it was in the old days, or Wind.. which is gentle like days gone by/the old days.  Truly, to me the first one doesn't really work here, the second does. A soft gentle wind wrapping around us like memories of the old days, when things were good and we didn't have to march to kill or be killed. 

This man's poetry is delicious and rich. Thanks, AC.

Thank you, Mike. The original first line contains the word zärtlich (tenderly; gently), but due to line length I omitted the qualifier. Your comments here make me reevaluate my first line in translation.... Perhaps I should try again to get a 'gentle' in there. I will have to think about it, but your feedback is invaluable, so thank you very much for sharing it.

As for Hans' poetry being rich and savory, I couldn't agree more with you! Muah    

On 8/10/2019 at 10:07 AM, Parker Owens said:

Here is a poem about the respite between the days of action. You translate the poet’s pastoral observations beautifully; this is indeed a pastorale movement, as one might find in baroque music. The poet is knows he’s never far from war. You convey this perfectly in the last lines. 

Thank you, Parker. I, too, think this poem is a remarkable one. The lovely, almost Romantic era, handling of the landscape impressions is masterful. This beautiful "melody In which the fullness of life may rest" is not modified until the concluding lines, almost the concluding words. The bucolic postcard suddenly has an army marching through it...it's upsetting. 

Thank you once more for your sharing of thoughts. I dearly appreciate it

On 8/10/2019 at 1:19 PM, Lyssa said:

When I read this poem, I feel so sorry for the young man, who was described by friends as a sensitive, pensive, melancholy person. Sonnet No 6 gives a glimps, how he yearned life and yet heard the rattle of death near. Magnificent translation @AC Benus.

Thank you, Lyssa. I do love it when you say I have gotten things right. Your equating the noise of the moving Company to a death rattle is sheer poetry in its own right

As always, thank you for your support and praise. It means a lot to me