Wetterfahne
Jemand muß die Wolken jagen…
Jemand muß die Bäume fragen:
Seid ihr glücklich? Seid ihr satt?
Jemand muß den Regen ahnen,
eher als die Wetterfahnen,
eher als das Espenblatt.
Jemand muß die Sonne sichten,
Frost und Feuer in den Lüften
und den ungeheuren Sturm.
Jemand muß die Schwalben fragen:
Wird die Erde uns noch tragen?
Wetterfahne auf dem Turm!
Christina Egan © 2018
Weather-Vane
The weather-vane is turning,
the sinking sun is burning
and burnishing its gold.
The slender birch is swaying,
its golden veil is fraying…
The year is getting old.
The weather-vane is creaking,
the cold and damp are seeping
into the window-frames.
The golden flag is flashing,
the elements are splashing
their vigour into space!
Christina Egan © 2018
These two poems about weather-vanes were written on the same November day, but are not versions of the same text.
The first one alludes to a sensitive and at the same time sensible person, who keenly feels changes in weather and climate — and asks how long we shall be able to live on this earth.
The second one describes sunset and autumn as images of ageing — and at the same time celebrating life!
Gut Hasselburg, Holstein, Germany; Bruce Castle, Tottenham, England. Photographs: Christina Egan © 2014/© 2017.
Christina Egan 