Till Lindemann's 'Messer' - "Pappel"

One of Till's quieter poems, beautiful and agonizing. The poems I translate from this point on will likely be longer.


Disclaimer: Poem copyrighted to Till Lindemann. This post does not include photos/illustrations of said poem from 'Messer'. The original German text is also not included. This is only a interpretive translation and accuracy is not guaranteed.




Poplar

Have considered staying with it
I could lick at your leaves
To spend the time lying on your skin
There are so many wrinkles to hide

Like blood in the sea of the summer wind
Your laughter towards heaven was sent;
I had not guessed that during this hour
The disaster in the eyes were gleaming

So it awoke the thunder then
And we recognized the signs
For they ride with wild hair
And beards that reach to the ground

From their midst sprang a flash
The same that you'd met twice already
Thrust its tongue within your womb
So that he broke into the other

Oh, if I'd had an axe
We would escape them easily!
You have sacrificed yourself for me -
I know that they'd have taken me.

The grief is raging like a fool
I hear it screaming in the woods -
Ah, what am I without you?
It will never be summer again

I have considered staying with you
Always licking at your leaves
And had considered - it would always be
That there are so many wrinkles to hide.

Notes: Italics are lines that I'm less sure of than the rest.

Comment: I'm reminded of 'Tanzerin' and 'Ohne Dich' simultaneously. Both use the same imagery, of woods, birds and nature respectively, and they're both about grief.

Definitely one of his quieter poems, and very melancholy.