Shadows in the Air
by Karl Krolow
Shadows in the air: such phantoms,
Uniform blue like giant butterflies.
Uniform blue like giant butterflies.
All dreams come clothed in doubt:
Prehistoric fauns
grown suddenly sober in the presence of
such airy happenings.
Shadows from above: not very confident,
like Monday thoughts; and Sunday
Was full of birds’ plumage
and bright gloves of girls.
The sky calm water: once
closed eyes bathed in it, and many leaves.
But now the cold is come, the odor
of solitude. Na goldfish swim
in noon’s glass any longer.
closed eyes bathed in it, and many leaves.
But now the cold is come, the odor
of solitude. Na goldfish swim
in noon’s glass any longer.
Air full of shadows! And the marble
of gone flesh shivers.
A black banner
— A dreamless sleep —
unfolds and slowly flows over shoulders there.
of gone flesh shivers.
A black banner
— A dreamless sleep —
unfolds and slowly flows over shoulders there.
Translated by Christopher Middleton