Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MORGUE: 1. LITTLE ASTER by GOTTFRIED BENN

Poem Explanation

First Line: A DROWNED TRUCK-DRIVER WAS PROPPED ON THE SLAB
Last Line: LITTLE ASTER!
Subject(s): ASTERS; AUTOPSIES; EXPRESSIONISM - POETS; FLOWERS; MORGUES;

A drowned truck-driver was propped on the slab.
Someone had stuck a lavender aster
between his teeth.
As I cut out the tongue and the palate,
through the chest
under the skin,
with my long knife,
I must have touched the flower, for it slid
into the brain lying next.
I packed it into the cavity of the chest
among the excelsior
as it was sewn up.
Drink yourself full in your vase!
Rest softly,
little aster!



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