Martin Lohrer, “Beautiful Youth”
The mouth of a girl that had long lain in the reed appeared to have been so very nibbled at. When they cracked up the breastcage the gullet was so very full of holes. Finally, in an alcove underneath the midriff, they found a nest of young rats. A little baby sister lay there dead. The others lived off liver and kidney, drank the cold blood and had spent a beautiful youth here. And beautiful and swift their death came too: They threw them in the water the whole pack. Oh, how the little snouts are squealing!
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Originally published in Notes #16 “Youth”
Lohrer says of his piece: “My 10-minute express translation of Gottfried Benn's classic "Schöne Jugend" (1912) is superior to any previous. If you do not concur, go talk to Shia LaBoeuf [sic] or something.”