Für sich selbst

This is my translation of a Russian poem by Yuri Davidovich Levitansky (Ю́рий Дави́дович Левита́нский). For Russian readers, the original is below. I am still working on the English translation; the poems beautiful simplicity and my thinking about the lyrical sujet pose some challenges. So for the time being, here is the Google translation from the German:

Everyone determines for himself
the consort, his god, wherever he goes.
Serve the idol or follow the prophet
Everyone’s determined for themselves.

Everyone makes a decision on their own initiative
the rapier for the duel, the sword for the battle.
Words of love and power of prayer
everyone determines on their own initiative.

Everyone makes a decision on their own initiative
Visor and armor, walking stick and patch.
And in the end his time in happiness
everyone determines on their own initiative.

Everyone determines for himself
I also choose as best I can
I’m not making a claim to anyone
Everyone determines for themselves

Maria

Now that I am back in San Diego, I have joined a group of writers on Sunday. Each worked on two prompts. The second was a stunning and large photograph from the National Geographic. It depicted a group of migrants or refugees walking. The central woman with a white head scarf was the only one looking straight at the photographer and, thus, me. We all glanced at the photograph briefly, did not read, and each started to write for a few minutes.

I am writing

Here, marinade is the result of marinating oneself in one’s own pain. An inuksuk is, well, an inuksuk.

If you have the time and energy to read more of these texts you find them in blog order on this website. Let me know what you associate with them, what you like, what you dislike, …