Poet, do not fear tautologies,
Do not blaze roundabout trails.
Even if the stern critic is displeased,
Say it again and again:
“How buttery is butter!
How light’s the light I saw!”
And you’ll see how much good sense there is
Where there seemed to be none before.
Let the chemist find fluorine and strontium,
The truth is visible to you:
How sunny, sunny is the sun!
How moony is the moon!
Amid the glades, automobiles, towers,
Wend your way enthusiastically,
Murmuring: “How homey’s home!
How rainy the rain! How bestial beasts!
How mindful is the mind, how businesslike is
business, fear fearful, gloomy gloom!
How deathly is death! How lively is life!
How youthful youthful youth.”
Translated by Daniel Weissbort