In Kohln, a town of monks and bones,
And pavements fang’d with murderous stones
And rags, and hags, and hideous wenches;
I counted two and seventy stenches,
All well defined, and several stinks!
Ye Nymphs that reign o’er sewers and sinks,
The river Rhine, it is well known,
Doth wash your city of Cologne;
But tell me, Nymphs, what power divine
Shall henceforth wash the river Rhine?
(Paul Celan)
More Poetry from Paul Celan:
- Schibboleth (Paul Celan Poems)
- Abend der Worte (Paul Celan Poems)
- This Evening Also (Paul Celan Poem)
- Night Ray (Paul Celan Poem)
- Corona (Paul Celan Poem)
- The Triumph Of Achilles (Paul Celan Poem)