This Translation Tuesday, we bring to you two poems by the German writer Katrine von Hutten, including her poem “Description”, which won the Leonce and Lena Prize in 1969. In an elegant and plain style rendered by translator Cristina M. Burack, these two poems convey the simplicity and mystery of approaching another person through one’s private vocabulary.
Description
gladly would I write two three
sentences that look like you
that are as you are
at best I can describe you
you are a wolf
in wolf’s clothing
and a sheep
in sheep’s clothing
but you know that
the circles under my eyes look like you too
when you jump through I have to laugh
you often say whoopsie
even when you don’t say it
better to say: you mean it
it is only half past six
but already wholly dark
you’re like that too