The Future.

The future is a signpost
the future must know better
without future there’s unfortunately no life
In the future death lies at our feet

Translated by Gary Sullivan and Oya Ataman.

* * *

Die Zukunft.

Die Zukunft ist ein Wegweiser
die Zukunft muss das besser wisen.
ohne Zukunft gibt es leider kein Leben.
In der Zukunft liegt der Tod uns zu Füssen.

* * *

Notes

I have a lot of abandoned alternatives for the first two lines. Here are some of them:

The future is an arrow
the future's point of view is narrow

The future is a pathfinder
to get to know the future better

The future is a lovely thing
that doesn't tell you anything

The future is that which points the way
the future must always have its say

The future points down the street
the future must know better

Obviously, in that last one, the idea is to rhyme "street" with the "feet" of the last line.

I almost went with the penultimate alt couplet, but maybe felt it was too slick or something.

Oya suggested that the second line be rendered in such a way as to emphasize the idea that the future is a kind of "smarty pants." Given that, I also tried to use "the future must know it all" or "the future is a know-it-all," but backed off and went with what's there now, Oya and my first draft.