From Phantasus

Translated by B. Deutsch and A. Yarmolinsky

FROM PHANTASUS

By Arno Holz

On a mountain of sugar-candy,

under a blossoming almond-tree,

twinkles my gingerbread house.

Its little windows are of gold-foil, out of its chimney

steams wadding.

In the green heaven, above me, beams the Christmas tree.

In my round sea of tinfoil

are mirrored all her angels, all her lights!

The little children stand about

and stare at me.

I am the dwarf Turlitipu.

My fat belly is made of gumdragon,

my thin pin-legs are matches,

my clever little eyes

raisins!

Translated by Babette Deutsch

and Avrahm Yarmolinsky