Woken out of Dogmatic Slumber Poem by Volker Braun

Did you use the night? - I practised hopeful
Waiting. - Who for? What for? - You also know, do you,
The pain, sweet pain, of loving the one unknown? -
The unknown deed? - You mean? - What are you speaking of? -
The veins were almost bursting in my flesh.
How tired I am of crossing St Marks's Square. -
Still dreaming, are you? Dreaming nevertheless? -
And the streets are waving in the winds of openness.

translated by David Constantine