Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Volker Braun

The Theater of the Dead

The dead conduct themselves the way they always
      do.
At nigt they step out onto the graveyard at Rotoli
For ritual exchanges of weapons and words. It’s all
      they know.
The blood drains away into the Mediterranean. They
      erect ruins.
CARTHAGE NEW YORK. The colossal
Left elbow of Jupiter in the museum at Tunis
He needed both of them to secure victory.
If only the living would . . . never mind.
YUPPY RABBLE. ALL THEY WANT IS THEIR MOUTHS
      STUFFED WITH SOMETHING TASTY
And game over. In general, I’m of the opinion
That socialism must be destroyed, and
I like my causes lost.

Das Theater der Toten

Das Theater der Toten

Die Toten führen sich auf wie immer.
Sie treten nachts heraus auf den Friedhof in Rotoli
Die alten Waffen und Worte. Sie können nicht
      anders.
Das Blut fließt ins Mittelmeer. Sie bauen Ruinen
karthago new York. Der gewaltige
Linke Ellbogen Jupiters im Museum von Tunis
Er gebrauchte beide für die siegreiche Sache.
Aber die Lebenden einmal könnten . . . ach was
PrivatPöbel. Wenn man ihnen nur angenehm das
      maul stopft
Und das Spiel ist gelaufen. Im übrigen bin ich der
      Meinung
Daß der Sozialismus zerstört werden muß, und
Mir gefällt die Sache der Besiegten.
Close

The Theater of the Dead

The dead conduct themselves the way they always
      do.
At nigt they step out onto the graveyard at Rotoli
For ritual exchanges of weapons and words. It’s all
      they know.
The blood drains away into the Mediterranean. They
      erect ruins.
CARTHAGE NEW YORK. The colossal
Left elbow of Jupiter in the museum at Tunis
He needed both of them to secure victory.
If only the living would . . . never mind.
YUPPY RABBLE. ALL THEY WANT IS THEIR MOUTHS
      STUFFED WITH SOMETHING TASTY
And game over. In general, I’m of the opinion
That socialism must be destroyed, and
I like my causes lost.

The Theater of the Dead

The dead conduct themselves the way they always
      do.
At nigt they step out onto the graveyard at Rotoli
For ritual exchanges of weapons and words. It’s all
      they know.
The blood drains away into the Mediterranean. They
      erect ruins.
CARTHAGE NEW YORK. The colossal
Left elbow of Jupiter in the museum at Tunis
He needed both of them to secure victory.
If only the living would . . . never mind.
YUPPY RABBLE. ALL THEY WANT IS THEIR MOUTHS
      STUFFED WITH SOMETHING TASTY
And game over. In general, I’m of the opinion
That socialism must be destroyed, and
I like my causes lost.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère