Konrad and Alexandra (pdf) - Rolf Gross

and do not flush in breathless waves,
at the slightest touch of our hands.
I also like that you in my presence
may calmly hug another woman,
and do not wish me to burn in hell’s fire
for not kissing you.
That my affectionate names, my gentle friend,
do not mention you at night,
that in the silence of a church
no one will sing a hallelujah over us.
Thank you, with my heart and hand,
that you, without Your knowledge, love me
for my night’s peace,
for the rare meetings at the hour of sunset,
for our non-walks under the moon,
for the sun not above our heads,
for your - alas unfortunately - not suffering because of me
for my - alas unfortunately - not suffering because of you.
Marina, acknowledged the applause and smiled uncertainly in the general direction of
Konrad.
Alexandra nudged Konrad and whispered in Georgian, "Aren’t you flattered? This was
written for you! Teenage poetry as rough as sandpaper."
Desperately searching under the light for the book by the German poet, Marina
eventually found it in the shadows on an empty chair right next to her. The page was marked
by a paper flag. She began to read:
Wie soll ich meine Seele halten, dass
sie nicht an deine rührt? Wie soll ich sie
heben über dich zu anderen Dingen?…
Out of the dark came Clara’s deep voice, intense, imperious, suffering no objections:
"Marina, this poem was written for me by my husband. Please let me continue."
Marina, uncomprehending, stared blindly at Clara, who without any further explanation
or apology walked into the light and took the book out of her hands. Mechanically Marina
vacated her place by the lamp.
Into the stunned silence Clara continued.
Ach gerne möchte ich sie bei irgendwas
Verlorenem im Dunkeln unterbringen
an einer fremden stillen Stelle, die
nicht weiterschwingt, wenn Deine Tiefen schwingen.
Tears streamed down her face, but she willed her voice to hold steady to the end.
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