Sebastian im Traum

What did the great twentieth century Austrian poet Georg Trakl find in the works of Novalis?  Certainly, echoes of his own longing for a mystical death, for union with a beloved beyond the grave, and a special veneration for dreams and the dream state, though, in Trakl’s case, this was certainly mixed up with his relentless drug addiction. Trakl shares so much aesthetically with Novalis, even beyond the blue flower and the juice of the poppy, especially Hymnen an die Nacht (though not necessarily Novalis’ philosophy).  Trakl’s poem to Novalis, "An Novalis," is so opaque that it expresses little to me about how he actually viewed him and his work.  His cycle of poems Sebastian im Traum is where I find him closest to Novalis.  Personally, though, my favorite poem of Trakl's is the one below, which I believe was written before Sebastian im Traum.  Trakl, like Novalis, died young, but his tragedy was much greater, abetted by all the demons of the twentieth century.

Im roten Laubwerk voll Guitarren

Im roten Laubwerk voll Guitarren

Der Mädchen gelbe Haare wehen

Am Zaun, wo Sonnenblumen stehen.

Durch Wolken fährt ein goldener Karren.

In brauner Schatten Ruh verstummen

Die Alten, die sich blöd umschlingen.

Die Waisen süß zur Vesper singen.

In gelben Dünsten Fliegen summen.

Am Bache waschen noch die Frauen.

Die aufgehängten Linnen wallen.

Die Kleine, die mir lang gefallen,

Kommt wieder durch das Abendgrauen.

Vom lauen Himmel Spatzen stürzen

In grüne Löcher voll Verwesung.

Dem Hungrigen täuscht vor Genesung

Ein Duft von Brot und herben Würzen.