[Jennifer Reeser]

Calm Sea

Sea becalmed! The sun’s bright radiance
flashes out upon the water,
and across this sequined ocean
drifts a ship down emerald furrows.

By the bridge there lies the bosun
on his belly, gently snoring.
By the mast, be-tarred and huddled,
squats the ship-boy, mending canvas.

Through the grime his cheeks are glowing,
splotched and scarlet; fearful twitching
strikes his opened mouth. Behold! how
pained the eyes so big and bonny!

For before him stands the captain
raging, cursing, screeching: Blaggard!
“Blaggard! Where’s my fish that you have
stolen from the herring barrel!”

Placid ocean! From the ripples
slips a saucy little kipper
with his tail fin gaily splashing,
seeking warmth to bathe his forehead.

But a seagull from the yonder
swoops upon the little kipper
and the prey is swiftly gathered
up and swept into the azure.


Original:
Meeresstille

Meeresstille! Ihre Strahlen
Wirft die Sonne auf das Wasser,
Und im wogenden Geschmeide
Zieht das Schiff die grünen Furchen.

Bei dem Steuer liegt der Bootsmann
Auf dem Bauch, und schnarchet leise.
Bei dem Mastbaum, segelflickend,
Kauert der beteerte Schiffsjung.

Hinterm Schmutze seiner Wangen
Sprüht es rot, wehmütig zuckt es
Um das breite Maul, und schmerzlich
Schaun die großen, schönen Augen.

Denn der Kapitän steht vor ihm,
Tobt und flucht und schilt ihn: Spitzbub.
»Spitzbub! einen Hering hast du
Aus der Tonne mir gestohlen!«

Meeresstille! aus den Wellen
Taucht hervor ein kluges Fischlein,
Wärmt das Köpfchen in der Sonne,
Plätschert lustig mit dem Schwänzchen.

Doch die Möwe, aus den Lüften,
Schießt herunter auf das Fischlein,
Und den raschen Raub im Schnabel,
Schwingt sie sich hinauf ins Blaue.

Crib:

Calm sea! Its rays cast by the sun on the water, and jewels billowing, the ship draws its green furrows. At the control the boatman is on his stomach, and snoring softly. At the mast, patching sails, the tarred ship youth huddles.
Behind the filth of his cheeks sprinkled with red, rueful twitches are around the wide mouth, and behold the painful big, beautiful eyes. For the captain stands before him, rages and curses and scolds him: rascal. “Rascal! a herring you have stolen from me from bins! "
Calm sea! From the waves emerges a smart little fish warming the little head in the sunshine,
splashing merry with his tail. But the gull from the air, shoots down on the little fish, and the prey swift in its beak, swings its way up into the blue.