From "Late” by Gottfried Benn

From “Late”

Feel it—but remember, millennia have felt it—

the sea and the beasts and the mindless stars

wrestle it down today as ever—

think it—but remember, the most exalted

are wallowing in their own bow-wave,

are no more than the yellow of the buttercup,

while other colors too play their game—

remember and endure the hour,

there was never one like it, all are like it,

people and angels and cherubim,

black-winged, bright-eyed,

none was yours—

was ever yours.

(Translated by Michael Hofmann)