Over the years Poem by Hanny Michaelis
Over the years
Over the years
a great deal has to be thrown out.
The notion, for instance,
that happiness is mild and enduring,
something like a southern climate
instead of a bolt of lightning
that leaves scars
cherished a lifetime.
Translation: 2009, Judith Wilkinson
I'm quite taken by her simile. It wouldn't have worked as metaphor, I think, it needs the gentleness and generosity of being served with a napkin and dessert fork. Lightning straight out would have been °too° violent for the intended effect. Though I disagree with her opening. Not every childhood leads to an mild and enduring characterization of happiness. Some learn the lesson far too early and are always looking to cover themselves in those scars thereafter.
Beautiful! As we grow and experience like we change our views. View of happiness expressed here is marvelous.Thankd for sharing.
Brief but beautiful and meaningful. Beautifully painted.
what is happiness then? is it like a passing fad a breath, a puff, a dewdrop? the longer i live the lesser i know; time rewards us with memories and chance.
Wow.. what a beautiful poem! The nicely written lines I enjoyed are something like a southern climate instead of a bolt of lightning that leaves scars cherished a lifetime Thanks poet.10
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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12/19/2025 2:27:24 AM # 1.0.0
Notion! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.