Columbia Library columns (v.33(1983Nov-1984May))

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  v.33,no.3(1984:May): Page 26  



2 6                                      Otto Ra7ik

School for Preparing

I unharness the clumsy horses of my mind
From the plough of prose and in their place
I harness a pair of light poetic prancers.
And look at them, they are winged too!
Come on, let's fly to the sun!

My nervous racers neigh and seem to mock me.
They paw the ground with delicate distaste:
"Do you really think this clowning with Pegasus
Will bring you closer to the distant Muse?

No man commands the creatures of Pegasus,
Whoever dares it pays for the attempt.
And do you want us to call you Master?
Then take a second look; we are not real."

"Say nothing more: your threats do not imnerve me,
I'm using you to help me towards the real.
And when I mount you, flyers of Pegasus,
At least you carry me in the right direction."

And if I should ever mount the true Pegasus,

I would not hesitate nor be afraid,

I would have learned from my journeying

How to rein imaginary horses, and that to ride
What seems unreal is only to come closer
To the heart of everything where all is real.

October 23, 1904

Adapted by Miriam Waddington, from the
German and from the literal translation
by Annemarie Neumann
  v.33,no.3(1984:May): Page 26