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Annotations

The annotations are divided into two groups: »Single Poems« and »Cycles«.

Single Poems

1. Mai

Written on a regrettably rainy and grey May 1st. The radio reports about the May Day demonstrations and the weather forecast pushes the begin of spring far, far away…

AufStand

Poem for a person who had quite some trouble with a relationship at that time…

Dragonrider

Inspired by the book "Aïn, de dood van een halfling" from the series De Kronieken van Ulriach de Waanzinnige by Atalanta Nèhmoura

Freier Flug

The old dream of flying – this way, it works…

Heimat

About the feeling of going 'home' (= to my parent's place) and not being at home at all there (anymore) – and yet, somehow, it's still home…

Ich bin

A love poem by origin, it is still quite up-to-date, as it describes my attitude to life very well…

Mauern

To a good friend of mine who made me aware of many of my own walls ('Mauern').

Mit Dir schweigen / Freundschaft II

The core of this poem (»Freundschaft«, not listed here) was written after many good conversations with a good friend of mine. The rest 'appeared' somehow later. The complete list of dates for writing this poem is therefore: 11/12/1994, 03/01/1995, 07/02/1995.

Mit Worten malen

"Painting with Words" - inspired by a long conversation with a hobby painter, which brought me to the amazing realisation that it is the same motifs that make some people reach for a pencil and others for a brush!

Musik

Not much to say about this one – except that music in my eyes is one of the biggest and most magical gifts humanity has ever received.

Ruine

During a train journey, the sight of industrial ruins inspired me to write this poem.

Spiel

<still to be translated>

Torn

Inspired by the song "For Alice" by the pagan-folk band Omnia

Vom Träumen träumen / Dreaming of Dreaming

<still to be translated>

Vergangenheit inKisten

<still to be translated>

Weltenwanderer

In 2007, I discovered that "Weltenwanderer" had become part of the beautiful composition NetWork of Kate Meyer. Unfortunately, that composition seems to be no longer available online. However, at the time Kate gave me permission to place the image she used next to my poem here on my site, so in a way, it is still there.
It is definitely worthwhile to have a look at Kate's home page "Moments", as there are loads more great photos to be found!

Zusammen

I wrote this poem for the wedding of a cousin of mine – all the best for the road together!

Zwischendrin

<still to be translated>

Cycles

Ireland

The first 'Ireland Cycle': Timewise, it is spread over my two holidays in Ireland (1994 and 1995) and the time thereafter, and the time of my first research project in Cork (Octobre 1996 - January 1997). The writing of these poems was driven by the impressions of this beautiful country.
The cycle consists of:

»Fähre (Ferry)«
Was written on the ferry from Galway to the Árann-Islands
»Árann«
It should be obvious where this poem was written – I was sitting on the huge wall of a medieval stone castle. The sun was shining and I had a great view across the sea right to the Cliffs of Moher!
»Irland«
Summarises the thoughts I had on the last evening of my 1994 holiday – bittersweet melancholy…
»Lines«
Originates from the 1995 journey. It was written in a hostel called 'Corcreggan Mill' in Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal – in my opinion, this was one place for people who are travelling with an open mind… Unfortunately, the hostel and the environment has become quite commercial in the past years – consequently, hardly any of the original appeal is left…
»Coming Home«
Describes the odd feeling I had when I was on my way home in 1995, sitting at the central station of Düsseldorf and seeing this word 'Aachen' (my hometown at the time) on the display – and it held absolutely no meaning for me…
»Geheimnis«
This poem was written later, back home, and describes the nice feeling of having taken all the special things with me from Ireland…
»Keine Schwäne«
In memory of the last morning in Dunfanaghy, waiting for the bus back to Dublin…
»Keine Schwäne« was also written later.
»Seeker's Journey«
Written after an evening walk through the wet city of Cork. Germany is so far away…
»Sanctuary«
This poem was influenced by Luka Bloom's song with the same name – and by the feeling that so many things ahead are so uncertain…
Back to "Ireland"
 

Ireland 2

The second “Ireland Cycle” comprises poems written in Ireland and Germany during and after my internship in Limerick (i.e. April '96 - September '96). Somehow I have the feeling that these poems do not belong in the first Ireland cycle.

»Not Yet«
July 1996, on my way back to Germany. My views on Ireland have changed: Ireland is not paradise. But neither is Germany… Consequence: I drive (fly…) from one home to another. And I'm not really ready to change again…
»Why Peace?«
Around 12 July 1996, there was renewed unrest in Northern Ireland. The cause were the traditional marches of the “Orange Men”, a Protestant organisation. The biggest disturbances occurred in a small town where the RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary) dared to prevent the Orange Men from marching through a Catholic neighbourhood. After three days of siege, the RUC gave up, the extremists had once again won. Around the same time, the PIRA (Provisional Irish Republican Army) attack on the Osnabrück barracks took place. Not forgetting the Canary Wharf bomb in February '96. I myself wish this island peace and know that many of the people there wish the same. That's why 'Why Peace?" was written.
»Donegal«
I wrote this poem while sitting at my desk in Aachen on a rainy day, thinking about the (unfortunately also mostly rainy) cycle tour through Donegal in July '96…

Janosch

What I call the 'Janosch Cycle', was written after having read a bedtime story from the German author 'Janosch' (renowned for his children's books) to a friend of mine.
It consists of:

Techno

Shortly before this cycle was written, my brother had mixed a whole tape (if anyone remembers what that is...) of techno for me - this music (yes, yes, I know, some people refuse to call it music, I see it differently) led to several poems within two days, the “Techno cycle”:

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