Friedrich Hölderlin 

biography

poem

BIOGRAPHY

Friedrich Hölderlin had an ill-fated affair with Susette Gontard (1768-1802), who for her part was married to banker Gontard in Frankfurt am Main, who for his part was Hölderlin’s employer. The poet was deservedly fired by the frustrated breadwinner, the poet for his part finally collapsing in 1805, having to be nursed until his death. There is more about him on his very own, if posthumous, site.

Please browse www.google.com for more information about Hölderlin.

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HÄLFTE DES LEBENS

Mit gelben Birnen hänget
Und voll mit wilden Rosen
Das Land in den See,
Ihr holden Schwäne,
Und trunken von Küssen
Tunkt ihr das Haupt
Ins heilignüchterne Wasser.

Weh mir, wo nehm ich, wenn
Es Winter ist, die Blumen, und wo
Den Sonnenschein,
Und Schatten der Erde?
Die Mauern stehn
Sprachlos und kalt, im Winde
Klirren die Fahnen.


Friedrich Hölderlin (1770-1843)