In a gibbering palm tree

In a gibbering palm tree

I would most like to sit:

a crouching heavenly soul

in a shivering earthly body.

In the company of clever monkeys

I would sit up in the tree,

their sharp voices, like shiny

rainfall would fall on me.

I would learn their song

and with them I would sing,

joyfully marvelling

that their noses and rears

are blue identically.

And a huge sun would burn

above the occupied trees,

and I would be ashamed

on behalf of humanity.

The monkeys would understand,

their minds are still unscathed,

and maybe if I lived with them,

I too, would be given then

the mercy of a noble death.

April 5, 1944.

(Translated by Gina Gönczi, 2004)