The goat and its frayed cloak

poem by Friedrich Gull

translated and recreated by Ruth Salles

“The goat bleats!
The goat howls!
Your frayed cloak
who knows
if it's young or old
is it wide or tight?”

And the goat then:
“my coat
shaggy fur
I like more,
oh so much more
than a velvety cloth.

And don't break,
don't even spend,
in fashion it always is.
I wore it
When I was born
and I will never take it off.

who laughs at me
don't know, so
that clothes were made for me
so very hairy
and guedelhuda,
and that is what adorns me.

I'm not ashamed,
and not sad
I will stay with her.
And right ahead
to everyone,
I will always use it!”

****