![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BP2gyMvM1rs/St9ogseP83I/AAAAAAAAY0U/WUV4yl7if9M/s400/A+Strudlhof+Gasse+Sky_0026_2.jpg)
When the leaves upon the steps are lying
from the old stairs is heard an autumn sighing
of all that's gone across them in the past
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embraces, lightweight shoes and heavy footfall
the mossed urn in the middle, by the wall,
outlasts the year between the wars and dying.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BP2gyMvM1rs/St9r13_U_gI/AAAAAAAAY0s/9_CE5l4jg3s/s400/A+Strudlhof+Steps_0017_2.jpg)
And beauty shows the frailest power to stay.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BP2gyMvM1rs/St9mewNbkSI/AAAAAAAAY0M/s09XrJm58rQ/s400/A+Strudlhof+Steps+Fountain_0026_2.jpg)
Poem by Heimito von Doderer
Quoted from his 1951 novel "The Strudlhof Steps"
Translation by Vincent Kling © 1974
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BP2gyMvM1rs/St9qvNluAXI/AAAAAAAAY0k/CBauYTF9ZJw/s400/A+Strudlhof+Steps+Fountain_0014.jpg)
Holding on to fountain rim
The Strudlhof Steps
Alsergrund
9th District
Repost
Images by Merisi
© October 2009
One more repost - I have collected a number of images of this year's autumn mood around the Strudlhof Steps, but the time to frame then into a new post is still scarce (and yes, not only duty keeps me busy).
ReplyDeleteA wonderful Sunday to all of you,
Merisi
I didn't see any strudels on those steps. :)
ReplyDeleteNext time, I'll try to remember to take some strudel to the Strudlhof Steps! ;-)
DeleteDear Charles, eating is very important here in Vienna, but not all names refer to edible things. The steps are named after Peter Strudl ( or Strudel, 1660-1714 ) a baroque painter who owned the the place where much later the famous
ReplyDeletesteps were built ( 1910, if my memory doesn't fool me ). The novel is a must-read, only second to Proust, and the english version by Kling honours both the
style and the spirit of the original. Happy reading!
Thank you, roe, for your kind comment! :-)
DeleteI have read the novel, but thanks to you I now can recommend King's English version to my friends.
Cheers,
Merisi
This reminds me of another ‘poetic’ staircase: Luís de Camões.
ReplyDelete