The Surface of Things 

All you see

is the surface

of things,

For fear

of what’s

hidden beneath.

If you only

cared to take

a close look,

You’d be able

to read me

just like a book.

Die Oberfläche¹¹

Ihr wollt nichts

als die Oberfläche

sehen,

Aus Angst

vor dem, was

dahinter steckt.¹²

Macht ihr

doch einen 

näheren Versuch,¹³

Könntet ihr 

mich lesen

wie ein Buch.¹⁴

¹¹ The title of this poem « Die Oberfläche, » or « The Surface of Things«  in English, is used as a metaphor for the outer appearance of a person. It refers to the tendency of people to judge others by their attire or the first impression they make instead of delving deeper.

¹² Here, I’m explicitly remarking on humankind’s innate fear of what Sigmund Freud called « Tiefenpsychology, » (depth analysis) or the profound workings of the mind.

¹³ This verse animates the reader to overcome his/her initial angst and look more closely at the person in question. »Versuch » (attempt) rhymes with « Buch » (book) in the next verse.

¹⁴ The final verse exposes the dual meaning and uses the metaphor of a « reading a book » (in contrast to looking at its cover), as the discovery of the depths of a personality. The two final verses of the English version also incorporate a true rhyme: « look » and « book. »