by
Karl Kraus (1874 - 1936)
An eine Falte
Language: German (Deutsch)
Available translation(s): ENG FRE
Wie Gottes Athem seine Fluren fächelt,
so wird es leicht und licht
in diesem klaren Angesicht.
Es hat die Erde gern
und schwebt ihr fern
und liebt und lächelt.
Und Gottes Finger bildete den Bug
vom Ebenbilde.
Es zieht so milde
hin über alles Leid,
und es verzeiht
der edle Zug.
In dich, o unvergeßlich feine Falte,
betend versanken
meine Gedanken.
Daß diese letzte Spur
seiner Natur
mir Gott erhalte!
Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Leonard Lehrman) , "To a wrinkle", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "À une ride", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [
Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2012-03-11
Line count: 18
Word count: 70
To a wrinkle
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
As the breath of God flutters through His fields,
So in this clear countenance
will there be lightness and light.
Pleased by the earth,
it floats far from her,
loves and smiles.
And the finger of God formed the prow
in His own image.
It stretches out sorrow
so softly over everything,
And forgives
the noble tug.
In you, oh unforgettably fine wrinkle,
Prayerfully sank
my thoughts.
May God preserve
this last trace
of His nature in me!
Authorship:
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Karl Kraus (1874 - 1936), "An eine Falte"
This text was added to the website: 2013-09-01
Line count: 18
Word count: 78