As The 100th Anniversary Of The First Year Of World War I (Remember The War To End All Wars) Continues ... Some Remembrances-Poet’s Corner-German Poets   

 

German War Poetry (English Translation)

Self-portrait as a Soldier of 1914 by Otto Dix

Translated by Jeff Curtis (YerffejJ@aol.com)

See also: The Sonnets of John Allan Wyeth Italian War Poetry Click here to return to the German version

Argonne Forest, at midnight A sapper's song from the World War, 1915 Argonne Forest, at midnight, A sapper atands on guard. A star shines high up in the sky, bringing greetings from a distant homeland. And with a spade in his hand, He waits forward in the sap-trench. He thinks with longing on his love, Wondering if he will ever see her again. The artillery roars like thunder, While we wait in front of the infantry, With shells crashing all around. The Frenchies want to take our position. Should the enemy threaten us even more, We Germans fear him no more. And should he be so strong, He will not take our position. The storm breaks! The mortar crashes! The sapper begins his advance. Forward to the enemy trenches, There he pulls the pin on a grenade. The infantry stand in wait, Until the hand grenade explodes. Then forward with the assault against the enemy, And with a shout, break into their position. Argonne Forest, Argonne Forest, Soon thou willt be a quiet cemetary. In thy cool earth rests much gallant soldiers' blood.