Die a Social Death
by Renée von Paschen
English
German
English
Die a Social Death
I may say
what I want,
but can I?
I can say
what I want,
but do I?
I do say
what I want,
but may I?
Or will I die
a social death,
if I try?
German
Der soziale Tod32
Ich darf sagen
was ich will,
aber kann ich?
Ich kann sagen
was ich will,
aber tue ich’s?33
Ich sage schon
was ich will,
aber darf ich?34
Oder sterbe ich
einen sozialen Tod
beim Versuch?35
32 This poem questions social conventions and a person’s right to speak the truth despite others’ expectations.
33 The wordplay here accentuates the different forms of verbs that signify possible courses of action or protest, as well as employing repetition. The first verse touches upon what is « legally » possible and uses « darf » or « may. » The second verse indicates the hesitation of a person, who considers the social consequences of speaking the truth.
34 The third verse deals with the option of speaking up, even if it is not considered a viable (or legal) option.
35 And the fourth verse comes full circle in outlining the possibly « fatal » consequences of speaking one’s mind, when it is not considered socially acceptable. In the English version, this is the only stanza which happens to rhyme, quite by chance, whereby the repetitive « I » in the previous verses ties into this rhyme.
Date
January 19, 2023