I saw this poem by Heinrich Heine posted inside the Stuttgart ‘U-Bahn’ subway train. (Yes that’s the guys real name,. I couldn’t make it up.). It was posted in its original German language (obviously, in Germany). I appreciated the subway posting some poetry. Also it’s a good and simple poem in German. So I took a crack at translating it. First below is my final full-poem translation; then the literal (and therefore non-rhyming) translation to English, and finally the original version ‘auf Deutsch’ aka in German Language.
***
The Letter
– Heinrich Heine, 1800s
– translation by Bill Taylor 2022
No, it didn’t scare me
that letter that you wrote.
Your choice is not to care for me?
I read quote after quote
in this intricate 12-page document
constructing reasons why.
But no one writes such an argument
to truly say goodbye.
***
The Letter
-Heinrich Heine, 1800s
– literal translation
The letter that you wrote-
It scared me not at all;
You no longer wish to love me,
Although, your letter is long.
12 pages, prim and dainty-
a tiny manuscript!
One doesn’t write in such detail
when one says goodbye.
***
Der Brief
-Heinrich Heine, 1800s
Den Brief, den du geschrieben
Es macht mir gar nicht bang;
Du willst mich nicht mehr lieben,
Aber dein Brief ist lang.
Zwoelf Seiten, eng und zierlich!
Ein kleines Manuskript!
Man schreibt nicht so ausfuehrlich
Wenn man den Abschied gibt.