Delirium
by Georg TraklDer schwarze Schnee, der von den Dächern rinnt;
Ein roter Finger taucht in deine Stirne
Ins kahle Zimmer sinken blaue Firne,
Die Liebender erstorbene Spiegel sind.
In schwere Stücke bricht das Haupt und sinnt
Den Schatten nach im Spiegel blauer Firne,
Dem kalten Lächeln einer toten Dirne.
In Nelkendüften weint der Abendwind.
Delirium
by Georg TraklBlack snow spills from the rooftops.
A red finger pokes into your skull.
Blue glacial ice melts into an empty room,
The lover’s dead mirror.
Or is it, the dead lovers’ mirror?
The brain breaks into heavy pieces
Just thinking about it. The reflection
Of that blue ice in the mirror
Is like the cold smile of a dead tramp.
The evening wind wails,
Reeking of carnations.
translated from German by Jay Hopler