Christmas 1967

White is the snow, to forest Lisa.
to satisfy the doctor and to refuge the Germans.
Then to pester the doctor
and to bester the Germans.
to roll Christmas over
and the love of furs.
to ignite the candles,
and to igmend the tree
the soldiers in service
to decrease the war.
to help the rulers.
to oversalt the war
and to alleviate the men.
to serve the flag
and to mate the mother
dear dear misery,
the world is near,
give me the bread
I am the bar.
            Christmas
Queen the world is open.
Girlchildren the time is nigh.

Translated by Gary Sullivan.

* * *

Weihnachten 1967

Weiß ist der Schnee, die Liese zu forsten.
den Arzt zu genügen, und den Deutschen zu horsten.
Dann den Doktor zu fragen,
und den Deutschen zu bargen.
die Weihnacht zu wälzen,
und die Liebe zu Pelzen.
die Kerzen zu zünden,
und den Baum zu entmünden
den Soldaten im Einsatz
den Krieg zu vermindern.
den Herrschern zu helfen.
den Krieg zu versalzen
und den Menschen zu lindern.
der Fahne zu dienen
und der Mutter zu balzen
du Liebe Not,
die Welt ist nah,
gebt mir das Brot
ich bin der Bar.
            Weihnacht
Königin die Welt is offen.
Kinderin die Zeit ist nah.

* * *

Notes

There are three versions of this poem, which were apparently written in quick succession, and which differ mostly with respect to their length. I've chosen to translate only the first, and longest, version.

"Versalten" really means "spoil" here, but I wanted to keep the literal meaning, "oversalt." It just feels right.