Volker Braun Poems

Dieser überraschende Landwind
In den Korridoren. Zerschmetterte
Schreibtische. Das Blut, das die Zeitungen
UND DER RUHM? UND DER HUNGER
...

This unexpected offshore wind
in the corridors. Shattered
desks. The blood, which the newspapers
AND THE FAME? AND THE HUNGER?
...

Als die Armee von Tschin
Ausrückt aus ihrem Unterstand
Nach 2000 Jahren
Bedacht
...

As the army of Chin
Marches out of its foxhole
After 2000 years
Carefully
...

Aus den Bunkern
Unter dem Platz des Himmlischen Friedens
Fahren die Panzerwagen
In die Menge
...

From the bunkers
Under the place of Heavenly Peace
Armored cars plow through
The multitude
...

I´m still here, though my country´s gone West.
PEACE TO THE PALACES AND DEVIL TAKE THE REST.
I gave it the elbow and heave-ho once myself.
...

Rome: an open city A lager
Down the catwalk troop the fashions
Of the millennium, bulletproof vests
For copulation Two gladiators
...

With a German passport landing at Agadir
In the winter sun: a change of identity
Slaves are watching me and thieves
Prowling about my feet, who am I
...

I overslept in the Art Hotel, it was raining
Cats and dogs into the Elbe, no breakfast
But a hungry look at the walls
...