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O Anna Blume (Wondering if it works?)

An Anna Blume (German: "To Anna Flower" also translated as "To Eve Blossom") is a famous poem. It was written in 1919 by the German Dada or rather Merz lyricist Kurt Schwitters. It has been translated into many languages and has inspired many poets to create replies or allusions.

Translation and slight modifications by perfomance artist Harald Smykla (who performed the reading/performance at' Area 10' Art space in Peckham) To Anna Blume

O you beloved of my twenty-seven senses, I luv ya - you thou thine thee, I you, you me. - We ? That doesn't (casually) belong here. Who are you, uncounted lady ? You are ? - are you ? - People say you would be - let them say, they don't know how the steeple stands. You wear the hat on your feet, and walk on them hands, on the hands you walk. Hello, your red clothes, sawn into white folds. Red do I love Anna Blume, red I luv ya ! You thou thine thee, I you, you me. - We ? That belongs (casually) into the cold embers. Red blossom, red Anna Blume, how do people say ? Prize questions : 1.) Anna Blume has an birdie. 2.) Anna Blume is red 3.) What colour is the birdie ? Blue is the colour of your yellow hair. Red is the whirring of your green bird. You simple girl in your plain dress, you dear green pet, I luv ya - You thou thine thee, I you, you me. - We ? That belongs (casually) into the ember chest. Anna Blume ! Anna , a - n - n - a , I drip your name. Your name drips like soft beef suet. Do you know it, Anna, do you already know? One can read you also from behind , and you, you most magnificent of all, you are from behind as from the front : "a - n - n - a" Beef suet drips caress across my back. Anna Blume , you drippy pet, I luv ya red!

_______________________

O Anna Blume

Where has the chirping red gone to? What road
does Bethlehem digest? These pastels ache
for canvas staples. God has asked to be
undressed. Tin crowns veil beds of brass, a man
plays chess on Voltaire’s lawn, and Madam Moon
is grinding to the trumpet player’s song.
O Anna Blume, strange Anna Blume, you move
the shadows on my walls. None are as free
as you, except the ladybugs. Let’s lay
in dirty restaurants, let’s kiss the soapy dish,
let’s dance in bus-tubs full of chicken bones
and lemon rinds. You have always belonged
 
to me. You have always belonged to him.
Please kill our children, they deserve to live.

By Ryan Wilbur

_________________________
Does this work as a dedication piece?

 

 

Comments

avatar
Julie herselffrom Here and There
302 posts

on June 22 2007


 
Phew!  This one's a work-out!  This is facinating and disturbing all at once - so is the original Anna.  I struggle to understand each line - which is strangely perfect, even when I don't entirely get it.  The first line, "where has the chirping red gone to?" which I think reflects the first poem, and her sexuality.  I love "god has asked to be undressed" and "you move shadows on my walls."  I can't quite wrap my head around the last line though.  But yes, I do think it works.   
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