Autumn day

By
For moments now the distance is silent,
All the mountains are shining
Like they’re newer, whiter ornaments,
It’s blue above from damp November air.
All the summits stand naked,
Which in some better times
I have often seen with pleasure
Covered in freshly fallen snow.
No one around, the flocks in the valley,
Empty meadows silent, bare for winter.

      At a cool spot I judge the distance
      With a peaceful glance, see the evening blue,
      Intuit the first star just behind the ridge,
      And breathing, sniff the nearing frost and dew -
      Then with this evening shower
      My memories come back to me
      And fury and grief and deep mourning -
      Farewell, my rambling joy!

And once again my thoughts are coming up
Trembling over the distant fight,
Breathing in the fire and the steam,
Trembling along with thousands of wounded, dying and sick,
Searching with confused feelings for
Dear brothers in the noise and chaos of battle,
Clinging like children to the good mother’s hand
Thankful and fearful for the loved fatherland.

Herbsttag
Hermann Hesse, November 1914

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