
…
Snow, a gentle greeting
from the angels,
floating, sinking –
into a silent
oblivion!
Is there still evil
where there is snow?
Covered, not distant,
all near
with appeasing softness,
damping even the loudest
steps into silence.
Snow, gentle greetings
from the angels,
to the humans and animals!
A white celebration
of seclusion
German Poem “Schnee” by Francisca Stoecklin (1894 – 1931)
Translation “The Happy Quitter”
“Schnee” (The original)
Schnee, zärtliches Grüßen
der Engel,
schwebe, sinke –
breit alles in Schweigen
und Vergessenheit!
Gibt es noch Böses,
wo Schnee liegt?
Verhüllt, verfernt er nicht
alles zu Nahe und Harte
mit seiner beschwichtigenden
Weichheit, und dämpft selbst
die Schritte des Lautesten
in Leise?
Schnee, zärtliches Grüßen
der Engel,
den Menschen, den Tieren! –
Weißeste Feier
der Abgeschiedenheit.

So lovely.
Beautiful poem and great image!!!
A poem worthy of translation. Would that it could bring peace
I have no experience with enough snow to even comment on, but when friends tell me how much they look forward to the quiet that comes with snow, apart from snow blowers I’d think, I am most envious. Beautiful poem, Bridget.
I think you would like snow. Long, quiet walks, cold fresh air, hot cocoa afterward. Dogs playing of course.
🤍
A beautiful translation which rings absolutely true!
I heard it the first time as a little girl and found it last week by accident. I thought it deserved an attempt to be pushed into English 🙂
Snow does purify and bring peace.