Was es ist
A.N.: Seriously, I have to take a break from writing 'cause currently I'm only producing s*** X___x". Not that piece here, I pretty much like how it turned out, but the rest... If somebody knows a good Beta who would not only correct but also be up for some discussions on the ffs please let me know ;o;~~
Here you can get translations in almost each language of this poem by Erich Fried --> http://www.erichfried.de/Was%20es%20ist.htm
And if you can, read the French version, I personally think it comes a bit closer to the German one than the English :3.
Was es ist
What it is
Es ist Unsinn
sagt die Vernunft
It is nonsense
says reason
Nonsense! Only a fool would believe that it will work, in the long run they will turn away from each other, they will argue and fight, will find differences and learn that their cultures don’t fit together.
Germany has always been rational, so why should he stop now?
Es ist was es ist
sagt die Liebe
It is what it is
says love
But soft touches, a voice calling him - by his human name, not his nation name anymore - a hand snatching his when he doesn’t pay attention, smiling lips and blue eyes, sometimes closer than is good for his heart, tell him otherwise.
.
Es ist Unglück
sagt die Berechnung
It is misfortune
says calculation
It was his bad luck to alliance out of all nations with France, he occasionally thinks. They both needed each other at the beginning to build up their economy, to rebuild their cities he has destroyed.
But why did it have to be France?
Joking, flirting and often distracted (by other butts and pretty faces, he jealously thinks) France - most of the time pretty hard to work with since they both have totally different attitudes and even harder to assess than Italy.
But he can not deny that he gets used to it. More than he perhaps should.
Es ist nichts als Schmerz
sagt die Angst
It is nothing but pain
says fear
He fears that it will hurt. Will hurt him like that time he had tried to woo a certain nation with brown hair and a black hole as a stomach.
He had been so certain, so confident but in the end he only felt confusion, embarrassment and this dull pain he still cares with him, hidden deep inside his heart.
Not a second time. Please not a second time, whispers his heart, aching in his chest.
Es ist aussichtslos
sagt die Einsicht
It is hopeless
says insight
They have too many nations between them, too much history that will definitely pull them apart again. He sees and observes and knows that they both have loved before, have given pieces of themselves away for others.
They fight on lost ground, for something both can’t really give a name (Friends, neighbours, lovers? What do they want to be?).
Es ist was es ist
sagt die Liebe
It is what it is
says love
His longing doesn’t listen to his inner trouble; it simply seems to grow with each day. Grows and expanses and slowly, he realizes that he can not make this go away anymore, that he needs France around, needs him close like he needs his brother and Italy.
Cooking lessons where he is constantly more cleaning after France than cooking, music evenings where they visit operas or theatres, days where they stay at home - peacefully, quietly - and teach each other their languages or read poems and books.
He likes that, truly likes that.
Being able to read France (not as good as he wishes he could), knowing his favourite food and his favourite perfume, never stopping to find more interesting parts and quirks about him.
…Is that love?
.
Es ist lächerlich
sagt der Stolz
It is ridiculous
says pride
He’s getting too soft, his pride likes to whisper mockingly. Giving flowers (red roses always for France’s birthday), buying gifts and even starting to cook again after such a long time - only to receive that glowing smile again, to feel soft lips kissing his and raising his addiction into spheres he gets light-headed from.
How ridiculous of him! How totally ridiculous of him! But he can not help himself anymore, murmurs his pride, he has already sunken too low.
Es ist leichtsinnig
sagt die Vorsicht
It is careless
says caution
He shouldn’t believe every word of love France is telling him, should not trust every glance and touch he gets. It’s careless, and if he has been something all his live long, it probably is cautious. Planning, calculating, being prepared for all possible opportunities, minimizing the risks: that is what Prussia has thought him.
He can only wonder about his sanity when he doesn’t have to think but easily grips the hand which is offered to him.
Es ist unmöglich
sagt die Erfahrung
It is impossible
says experience
Such things haven’t worked in the past, why should they work now?
His experience, or more his knowledge about the other nations and himself show Germany how impossible it is to keep this thing they have (should he dare to call it love?) any longer than perhaps some few years, if they are lucky they will reach hundred years of partnership - if nothing interferes.
Even his living with Prussia has now more problems than anything else, although he would never in his whole life give his brother away again.
Still, he can not dim that small hope that it perhaps will work, that his experience will be proven wrong.
Es ist was es ist
sagt die Liebe
It is what it is
says love
Even though he can not force all those negative thoughts away, even though he will always be questioning, fearing for their friendship, relationship, France’s love for him and his love for France, he is unable to give it up.
Germany feels selfish and egoistical and hates himself a bit more for acting so illogical, but love is love and he can not change how he feels, can not make himself love France less.
Because it is what it is - simple, clear and without question - love he feels, carries and holds in his heart.
Here you can get translations in almost each language of this poem by Erich Fried --> http://www.erichfried.de/Was%20es%20ist.htm
And if you can, read the French version, I personally think it comes a bit closer to the German one than the English :3.
Was es ist
What it is
Es ist Unsinn
sagt die Vernunft
It is nonsense
says reason
Nonsense! Only a fool would believe that it will work, in the long run they will turn away from each other, they will argue and fight, will find differences and learn that their cultures don’t fit together.
Germany has always been rational, so why should he stop now?
Es ist was es ist
sagt die Liebe
It is what it is
says love
But soft touches, a voice calling him - by his human name, not his nation name anymore - a hand snatching his when he doesn’t pay attention, smiling lips and blue eyes, sometimes closer than is good for his heart, tell him otherwise.
.
Es ist Unglück
sagt die Berechnung
It is misfortune
says calculation
It was his bad luck to alliance out of all nations with France, he occasionally thinks. They both needed each other at the beginning to build up their economy, to rebuild their cities he has destroyed.
But why did it have to be France?
Joking, flirting and often distracted (by other butts and pretty faces, he jealously thinks) France - most of the time pretty hard to work with since they both have totally different attitudes and even harder to assess than Italy.
But he can not deny that he gets used to it. More than he perhaps should.
Es ist nichts als Schmerz
sagt die Angst
It is nothing but pain
says fear
He fears that it will hurt. Will hurt him like that time he had tried to woo a certain nation with brown hair and a black hole as a stomach.
He had been so certain, so confident but in the end he only felt confusion, embarrassment and this dull pain he still cares with him, hidden deep inside his heart.
Not a second time. Please not a second time, whispers his heart, aching in his chest.
Es ist aussichtslos
sagt die Einsicht
It is hopeless
says insight
They have too many nations between them, too much history that will definitely pull them apart again. He sees and observes and knows that they both have loved before, have given pieces of themselves away for others.
They fight on lost ground, for something both can’t really give a name (Friends, neighbours, lovers? What do they want to be?).
Es ist was es ist
sagt die Liebe
It is what it is
says love
His longing doesn’t listen to his inner trouble; it simply seems to grow with each day. Grows and expanses and slowly, he realizes that he can not make this go away anymore, that he needs France around, needs him close like he needs his brother and Italy.
Cooking lessons where he is constantly more cleaning after France than cooking, music evenings where they visit operas or theatres, days where they stay at home - peacefully, quietly - and teach each other their languages or read poems and books.
He likes that, truly likes that.
Being able to read France (not as good as he wishes he could), knowing his favourite food and his favourite perfume, never stopping to find more interesting parts and quirks about him.
…Is that love?
.
Es ist lächerlich
sagt der Stolz
It is ridiculous
says pride
He’s getting too soft, his pride likes to whisper mockingly. Giving flowers (red roses always for France’s birthday), buying gifts and even starting to cook again after such a long time - only to receive that glowing smile again, to feel soft lips kissing his and raising his addiction into spheres he gets light-headed from.
How ridiculous of him! How totally ridiculous of him! But he can not help himself anymore, murmurs his pride, he has already sunken too low.
Es ist leichtsinnig
sagt die Vorsicht
It is careless
says caution
He shouldn’t believe every word of love France is telling him, should not trust every glance and touch he gets. It’s careless, and if he has been something all his live long, it probably is cautious. Planning, calculating, being prepared for all possible opportunities, minimizing the risks: that is what Prussia has thought him.
He can only wonder about his sanity when he doesn’t have to think but easily grips the hand which is offered to him.
Es ist unmöglich
sagt die Erfahrung
It is impossible
says experience
Such things haven’t worked in the past, why should they work now?
His experience, or more his knowledge about the other nations and himself show Germany how impossible it is to keep this thing they have (should he dare to call it love?) any longer than perhaps some few years, if they are lucky they will reach hundred years of partnership - if nothing interferes.
Even his living with Prussia has now more problems than anything else, although he would never in his whole life give his brother away again.
Still, he can not dim that small hope that it perhaps will work, that his experience will be proven wrong.
Es ist was es ist
sagt die Liebe
It is what it is
says love
Even though he can not force all those negative thoughts away, even though he will always be questioning, fearing for their friendship, relationship, France’s love for him and his love for France, he is unable to give it up.
Germany feels selfish and egoistical and hates himself a bit more for acting so illogical, but love is love and he can not change how he feels, can not make himself love France less.
Because it is what it is - simple, clear and without question - love he feels, carries and holds in his heart.