Poem "la luna" by Manfred Chobot

la luna

wenn du mein unterholz durchforstest

blasen die jäger ins horn

und heben die becher

denn der mond ist zum greifen nahe

mit einer westlichen und einer

östlichen hälfte dazwischen ein krater

mag sein er halbiert sich

nach norden und nach süden

deswegen mag kein diskurs

vom zaune brechen den zwist

säen wir anderswohin

es ist angebrachter den pfosten

zu biegen als zu brechen

für den norden spricht eine ebene

entwässert von einem fluss

der allemal über seine ufer tritt

aufgebracht von einem gott

sich ergießt in fruchtbarkeit

vom meer in mündern verschluckt

po und po

zwillinge gleich romulus und remus

die ein geschlecht errichteten

po von zwei zitzen gesäugt und po

berührend die backen des mondes um sich

traumlos aufzulösen und friedfertig

verschlafen

The poem "la luna" was first published in 2000 within the poetry collection "römische elegien" by Manfred Chobot at Deuticke Verlag (Vienna). Manfred Chobot´s poem is translated into English for dubbing and subtitles. The sound file is available for download under Creative Commons free of charge for the poetry film competition. The rights for "la luna" are nowadays held by Manfred Chobot, the publisher does not exist any longer. The copyright declaration can be downloaded here  for documentation. Note for filming: Please mention the translator Mark Kanak, the speaker Christian Reiner and the poet Manfred Chobot in the end credits of your poetry film.

Download link of the sound recording of the poem read by actor Christian Reiner

MANFRED CHOBOT was born in Vienna in 1947. He is a freelance writer and poet who now lives in Illmitz (Burgenland), Vienna and Corralejo (Fuerteventura). In his works Chobot deals with current affairs and cultural fringe phenomena. He is a board member of the Graz Authors' Assembly, the European writers' association Kogge and IG-AutorInnen, as well as a member of the literary circle Podium. In 1971 he and his wife opened the Yppen Gallery, later renamed the Chobot Gallery. With his picture poems he participated in photo exhibitions in Austria, Germany and France. As a founder, freelancer, publisher and editor, the author has worked for radio, television, theater, publishing houses and magazines. He participates in international literary festivals, readings and congresses. His work has earned him numerous awards and grants. In 2019, he was awarded the Golden Medal of Merit of the State of Vienna. Chobot's works appear in Spanish, French, English, Slovak, Czech, Polish, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Hindi, Bangla, Slovenian, Dutch, and Lithuanian.

Other awards: 2003 Honorary Doctorate of Literature from WAAC (World Academy of Arts and Culture), 2006 Literature Prize of the Province of Burgenland, 2007 BEWAG Literature Prize, 2017 Kathak Literary Award, Dhaka / Bangladesh, 2022 Laureate of the Burgenland Foundation Theodor Kery.