[Skybird]

Originally Posted by SimNut

I did a web translation of it. I'm sure it loses a lot in the translation, but I think I get the meaning.

Yes, I tried a bot-translation, and I also found a translation on the web, but both were terrible, absolutely terrible. Too bad, it is a wonderful poem that seems to have been written for a sentiment like this thread being started over.

I know examples wehn Rilke was well-translated into English nwith bgoth rythm and ryhme, and Engöish poeams were translated into German the same way, but it is rare, and needs a lot of verbal competence and fine-tuned sensibility.

P.S. Okay, this one at least trasnlates the words, but neither the rythm nor sound. i print it as small as possible, so that hopepfully nobody reads it

We know nothing of this leaving, that
does not share with us. We have no reason,
whether astonishment and love or hate,
to display Death, whom a fantastic mask

of tragic lament astonishingly disfigures.
Still, the world is full of roles which we play
but as long as we make sure that we get liked,
Death plays, too, although he is not liked at all.

But when you left, a strip of reality broke
upon the stage through the very opening
through which you vanished: Green's truer green,
true sunshine, true forest.

We continue our play. Picking up gestures
now and then, and anxiously reciting
that which was difficult to learn; but your existence,
far away and removed from our play,

sometimes overcomes us, as an awareness
of this very reality descends upon us,
so that for a while we play Life
rapturously, not thinking of any applause.

Rainer Maria Rilke