Well Versed

The seagulls all look like they were
named after Emma Bovary.
They sport a mantle of white fur
and might get shot eventually.

I wouldn't shoot a seagull dead.
I much prefer to see them fly -
and feed them raisins and rye bread,
fling handfuls in the sky.

O humans, it's your great dilemma:
you'll never soar like them, yet,
be happy if your name is Emma.
It's the nearest you may get.

Translation by Phil Poole

About the poet

Christian Morgenstern (1871-March 1914) was a German humorous poet of jabberwocky-like verse best known for the Gallows Songs 1910. Phil Poole has spent time in Morgenstern's home town Munich.