As I try to make good use of my week here at Franciscan University, there’s not much time for extra reading and writing. But here are a few quick morning verses for you courtesy of Theodor Storm, German author of prose and poetry, 1817-1888. The translation—very quick, and very loose—is my own. (For those interested, I’ve included the German text below.) I came across the short poem in an old anthology of German poetry from 1926 that I found in a used bookstore.
In The Morning Now plant a kiss upon my cheek! That's plenty of rest for you; And slide those dainty little feet Nimbly into your shoes. Now shake the pale trace of dreams From off your little brow! For all too long already gleams The sun upon the meadow. The roses leap up in your garden Spurred by the light of the sun; Waiting for you, their warden, To pluck them one by one.
The German text appears beneath this drawing of Storm.
Morgens Nun gib ein Morgenküßchen! Du hast genug der Ruh; Und setz dein zierlich Füßchen Behende in den Schuh! Nun schüttle von der Stirne Der Träume blasse Spur! Das goldene Gestirne Erleuchtet längst die Flur. Die Rosen in deinem Garten Sprangen im Sonnenlicht; Sie können kaum erwarten, Daß deine Hand sie bricht.
And with that, a good Saturday morning to all of you! Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this extremely rough-and-ready translation. Thanks for reading, have a great weekend, and I’ll see you next time for another installment From My Bookshelf.