Poem: Erich Kästner’s 'Little Solo'
This is tough stuff. I took liberties with the interpretation....
Like some of the German-translating work I do, this is not a direct translation, but my own interpretation of Erich Kästner’s strange, dark work of 1947. (See also Kästner’s ‘Prince Carnival,’ which I interpreted earlier this year.) I feel as if this English version does two things: 1) Makes the work more accessible to a new readership; and 2) adds some dimension to it (for better and worse).
The version of the original lyric that I have is preceded by these words (the context of which fails me): “All mischief that occurs isn’t just the fault of those who do it, but also of those who don’t prevent it.” — Erich Kästner. (“An allem Unfug, der passiert, sind nicht etwa nur die Schuld, die ihn tun, sondern auch die, die ihn nicht verhindern.”)
So, here’s the poem:
Little Solo (Kleines Solo)
Original German by Erich Kästner;
English interpretation © Topper Sherwood, July 2024
Lonely, we are very much alone.
Timer ticking, out of view;
Stand at the window, stare at stones.
Believe in loving, seeing none.
Another night’s dream of you;
Sad and lonely, one alone;
Sadder still, the lonesomeness of two.
Wishes fly through open windows,
Cerb’rus chews his rawhide bones.
Join me here, within the shadow,
See young seekers ’neath the willow,
In our darkened, hoary zones.
Stare at stones beneath the window,
Yearn passion-tears that mark ourselves;
Long, ardent days of ‘sinning’ solo;
But know it’s worse with someone else.
Engage ourselves from low to upper!
No wish to be the same, old soul.
Loving moves us to sing and couple,
To sublimate ourselves; be supple,
’Fore disenchantment’s heavy blow;
So I kiss, once more, alone,
Timers ticking off the hours;
Stand in window, watch the stone.
Wanting love and, finding none,
Yearn the ‘sweet’ that doesn’t sour….
Long, weary years, as one-and-only;
Worse still, the couple’s empty hours.
Wishes ride on stormy clouds;
Happiness, a haunted place.
Nearby lightning, thund’ring loud.
Earthbound lovers bellowing, proud,
Whilst willing Other’s angelic face.
Stands at the window. Stares at stone.
Dreams of lovers, far away;
Believes in loving, seeing none.
Seizes forever-night at home,
Startles at the leer of day.
Worse, the couple’s years alone.