German author Elisabeth Langgässer (1899–1950) was saved from deportation to the camps by her marriage; she became defined as a German-Jewish hybrid, a Mischling. Her daughter Cordelia was deported, aged 15, to Theresienstadt and then Auschwitz in 1944. But Cordelia survived. In this poem by Langgässer, furnished to us today by translator-poet Timothy Adès, Spring 1946 is conjured up as Elisabeth welcomes her daughter back from Auschwitz. Here it is Day 511 of the daily new poems.
Spring 1946
by Elisabeth Langgässer (1899–1950)
translated from German by Timothy Adês
Beautiful anemone,
do you then return,
manifest with shining crown
to requite my wretchedness,
new Nausicaa, princess?
Wind that blows where I am bowed!
Spindrift, wave, and light!
Where my back with dust was cowed,
now the sphere of sheer delight
takes away the load.
– From the kingdom of the toad
I have risen here,
eyelid stained with Pluto’s red,
and the flute that guides the dead
loathsome in my ear.
And I saw in Gorgon’s eyes
hard-as-iron stare,
spurting venom of her lies,
which to kill me would suffice:
so she whispered there.
– Windflower, here’s a kiss!
To your cheek my love shall go.
Let not Styx or Lethe flow
mirroring: let’s hear of no
words denying this.
You do not mislead me, sweet,
you’re alive, you’re here.
Silently you touch my heart
fanning not its fire:
Child Nausicaa!
Elisabeth Langgässer
trans. Timothy Adès