Sep 2, 2016

Christian Morgenstern: 'Das Wasser' from Gallows Songs - Farsi Translation

I just read this short poem Das Wasser 'The Water' by Christian Morgenstern (1871-1914) in my textbook. The water that he talks about here has multiple meaning, and it could be, metaphorically, taken as 'silence' or, 'quietness.' It could also symbolically mean the fluidity of life, quietly, and yet persistently strong and smooth. My amateur impression is that Morgenstern who lived until the outset of the First World War, was to some degree under the impression of romanticism period - sometimes with a tinge of melancholy while drenched in humors  - which is not very apparent in the following short poem. I really like this poem and I tried to reach the marrow of its symbolic, metaphorical, and metaphysical streaks in order to exhume a meaningful translation into Farsi. I hope I am succeeded, and if there is any suggestions, please don't hesitate to leave your comments on the comment section. You can also appear anonymous by placing a check mark on "I'd rather post as a guest."

Das Wasser - from gallows songs 
-------

Ohne Wort, ohne Wort
rinnt das Wasser immerfort;
andernfalls, andernfalls
sprach' es doch nichts andres als:

Bier und Brot, Lieb und Treu,-
und das wäre auch nicht neu.
Dieses zeigt, dieses zeigt,
dass das Wasser besser schweigt.


آب - از ترانه های چوبه دار
------
بدون زمزمه ای
بدون کلمه ای
،آب
 آرام و بی صدا
،جاری است
ورنه
بیان کردن آرامشش
طور دیگری شگفت انگیز نمی بود

تخمیر و تبخیر
عشق و راستی
اینها تازه نیست
که کسی سروده باشد
یا گفته باشد
  این همه بیانگر این است که
سکوت
 دل جریان آب را تسخیر کرده است
Poet: Christian Morgenstern- Source
(Trans. Nasim Fekrat, September 02, 2016)