Joachim Ringelnatz
from Die Schnupftabakdose (The Snuff-box; 1912)
The Postage Stamp
A macho postage stamp once tasted
The pangs of love while being pasted.
A pretty princess licked it damp,
Arousing passion in the stamp.It hankered to return her kiss
But since its trip precluded this
Its love, alas, was unrequited.
Ah me! How often life is blighted!
Joachim Ringelnatz was the pseudonym of Hans Bötticher (1883-1934), a painter and novelist as well as a writer of verse. He ran away to sea as a boy, worked later in many and various jobs, commanded a mine-sweeper in the First World war, and later became nationally famous as a cabaret artist. Out of favour during the Nazi period, his work is now widely popular in Germany.
Translated by David Cram
Page(s) 41
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