me and my love binder

i've been cleaning the closet and throwing away things. i've been meaning to declutter but now i'm forced to and i think it may cause me to get rid of more than i originally planned. but anyway, i came across something i wrote down in high school. i believe it's marlene dietrich's mother's favorite poem that she recites in the documentary "marlene". it's in german but i wrote down the translation from the subtitles. the pauses in her recitation i believe were put into the subtitles and that's how i wrote it down as well. i'm not sure of the title or author but a quick google search should reveal it. reading this, it's advice i should've taken.

"o lieb, so lang du lieben kannst" (oh love as long as you can love) by ferdinand freiligrath

oh love as long as you can love
oh love as long as you may love
the hour comes...
...when you will stand at gravesites
...weeping
whoever opens you their heart
do all you can to please them,
fill all their lives with joy,
and never cause them sadness...
and guard your tongue.
harsh words are easily said,
oh god, i meant no harm,
the other leaves and complains,
you kneel down at the graveside
and say:
oh, look down upon me,
crying here at your grave,
forgive me for hurting you,
...oh god, i meant...
no harm.
but he neither hears nor sees you,
he shuns the welcome of your arms...
the mouth which often kissed you
says no more.
i've long since forgiven you!
in truth, he has forgotten you,
though many a hot tear was shed for
you and your harsh words,
but still, he rests, he's reached his end.