Ingeborg Bachmann
Gedichte 1945-1956
Im Krieg

Ingeborg Bachmann
The Collected Poems
Poems 1945-1956
In Wartime
The night is so deep around me,
and lonely and full of dread.
Trembling walls press at me
and tears run from the bread.

It's so bitter cold in the house.
No fire burns and there's no light anywhere.
My breath smokes from my mouth
and all hope turns to despair.

Everywhere the streets yawn wide
and continue to call me.
Yet full of sorrow, I'm so tired...
The night is so deep around me.

transl. by Peter Filkins