Broken Memory

It takes time

to be forgotten,

but look

at what time has done

to me –

the scars on my back

are a map

to a people

who don't know the way

back home.

It's like we said

goodbye

even before

it all began,

but you still

feel me here

in these old houses

in the countryside

where they still speak

my name

even if

I'm nothing

but a shadow,

a broken memory.

Es ist mir erinnerlich Preußen,

er weilt nicht mehr

unter uns, they say.

Nu, ich glaube es nicht!

Tell me,

can you understand

that lonliness

of having nowhere else to go?

The scars on my back

are a map

to a people who forgot

they had another home.

It takes time

to be forgotten,

and only an instant

to die.

Well, this white knight

will lay down his sword

but not in defeat.

Nein, just to rest

these weary eyes

and sleep….

Translations

Es ist mir erinnerlich Preußen, er weilt nicht mehr unter uns: I remember Prussia, he is no longer with us.

Nu, ich glaube es nicht!: Well, I don't believe it!

Nein: no