Love

It was a dear letter in reply
there it said only a beginning nt
“the” love—love it is not.
There the opening was amiss
or misth in the loving breath.
How always was the loving there.
                    love,
Where also ts “a quiet breath.”

Translated by Gary Sullivan and Oya Ataman.

* * *

Die Liebe

Es war ein lieber Antwortbrief
da hieß es nur ein Anfang nit
»die« Liebe—liebe ist es nicht.
Da war der Anfang nicht darauf
was fehlte im hder liebe Hauch.
Wie immer war die liebe da.
                    die Liebe,
Wo auch st »ein leiser Hauch.«

* * *

Notes

This poem was one of the first I attempted to translate on my own, in late 2003, before working with Oya. In contrast with the current version, here is that earlier attempt:

Love

It was a kind letter in reply
it just didn't want to begin
"the" love--b/c that isn't love.
There the opening was amiss
or missed up in air.
Like always love was "the" love there.
                    the Love,
there, in its quiet breath, its "lesser haunch."