Last week Horsham College students travelled to Wimmera Lutheran College for the AGTV Wimmera Mallee Final of the German Poetry Competition! Apart from sharing in poetry and German-speaking culture with other students, the students also ate a delicious German lunch hosted by the WLC staff and students, which was a great highlight.

Herzlichen Glückwunsch (congratulations) to Pippa H, Hannah M, and Sam C, who spent time preparing their poems at school and in their own time. Their incredible recitals were testament to the time and effort taken preparing their poems. All three students placed and received a medal for their achievement:

Pippa H received first place in the Year 7 category with her recital of “die Fliege” (The Fly).

Hannah M received third place in the Year 7 category with her recital of “Du und ich” (You and I).

Sam C received third place in the Year 9 category with her recital of “Sommergedicht – ich bin der Juli” (Summer Poem – I am July).

Through these students’ efforts, Horsham College will be represented at the Victorian State Final to be held in Melbourne in the coming weeks. We wish the students progressing viel Erfolg (much success) at the final stage of the competition!

„Die Fliege“ von Fritz Senft

In meiner Faust sitzt eine Fliege,

die hat mich gestört,

die hat mich empört.

Nun sitzt sie da drinnen

erhascht und gefangen

mit brummelndem Bangen,

und wenn ich wollte –

Doch, nein auch sie hat das Recht

ein wenig zu leben.

Ich öffne das Fenster, da tummelt sie schon

Durch den apfelduftenden

Abend davon.

English Translation:

“The Fly” By Fritz Senft

A fly sits in my fist,

it bothered me,

it outraged me.

Now it sits there inside,

caught and trapped,

with a buzzing fear,

and if I wanted to—

But no, it too has the right

to live a little.

I open the window, and there it flits away

Through the apple-scented evening.

„Du und Ich“ von Gerda Anger-Schmidt

Du bleibst hier, und ich geh fort.

Du faulenzt gern, mich reizt der Sport.

Ich ess’ gern Schnitzel, du isst Pizza.

Ich flieg nach Rom, und du nach Nizza.

Was mir leicht fällt, fällt dir schwer.

Mein Glas ist voll, und deines leer.

Was dir Spaß macht, lässt mich kalt.

Du liebst die Wiesen, ich den Wald.

Du gehst gern aus, und ich seh’ fern.

Ich bin ein Esel, du ein Stern.

English Translation:

“You and I” by Gerda Anger-Schmidt

You stay, and I go.

You like to laze around; I’m into sports.

I like schnitzel; you eat pizza.

I’m flying to Rome, and you to Nice.

What comes easily to me is hard for you.

My glass is full, and yours is empty.

What you enjoy leaves me cold.

You love the meadows, I love the forest.

You like to go out, and I watch TV.

I’m a donkey, you’re a star.

„Sommergedicht - Ich bin der Juli“ von Paula Dehmel

Grüß Gott! Erlaubt mir, dass ich sitze.

Ich bin der Juli, spürt ihr die Hitze?

Kaum weiss ich, was ich noch schaffen soll,

die Ähren sind zum Bersten voll;

reif sind die Beeren, die blauen und roten,

saftig sind Rüben und Bohnen und Schoten.

So habe ich ziemlich wenig zu tun,

darf nun ein bisschen im Schatten ruhn.

Duftender Lindenbaum,

rausche den Sommertraum!

Seht ihr die Wolke? Fühlt ihr die Schwüle?

Bald bringt Gewitter Regen und Kühle.

“Summer Poem - I Am July*” by Paula Dehmel

Hello there! Allow me to sit down.

I am July—can you feel the heat?

I hardly know what else to do,

the ears of grain are bursting;

the berries ripe, the blue and red ones,

the beets, beans, and pods are juicy.

So I have very little to do,

and may now rest a little in the shade.

Fragrant linden tree,

rustle with the summer dream!

Do you see the cloud? Do you feel the muggy air?

Soon a thunderstorm will bring rain and coolness.

*Note that in Europe, where Germany is located, July is in the middle of Summer, and not Winter!

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