Panel poster; European Poems on the Underground, Optimistic little poem, by Hans Magnus Enzensberger, 2003

• Physical description

  Dimensions

  Attribute	Value
  Height	280mm
  Width	610mm
  Descriptive size	Panel poster

  Colour

  Attribute	Value
  Colour	Black White Red

  Item content

  Attribute	Value
  Object title	Optimistic little poem
  Text	Optimistic Little Poem / Optimistisches Liedchen / Hie und da kommt es vor, / dass einer um Hilfe schreit. / Schon springt ein andrer ins Wasser, / vollkommen kostenlos. / Mitten im dicksten Kapitalismus / kommt die schimmernde Feuerwehr / um bie Ecke und loscht, oder im Hut / des Bettlers silbert es plotzlich. / Vormittags wimmelt es auf des Strassen / von Personen, die ohne gezucktes Messer / hin - und herlaufen, seelenruhig, auf der Suche nach Milch und Radieschen. / Wie im tiefstenm Frieden. / Ein herrlicher Anblick. / Now and then it happens / that somebody shouts for help / and somebody else jumps in at once / and absolutely gratis. / Here in tghe thick of the grossest capitalism / round teh corner comes the shining fire brigade / and extinguishes, or suddenly / there's silver in the beggar's hat. / Mornings the streets are full / of people hurrying here and there without / daggers in their hands, quite equably / after milk and radishes. / As though in a time of deepest peace. / A splendid sight. / Hans Magnus Enzensberger (b.1929) / Translated by david Constantine / (copyright) Suhrkamp Verlag Franfurt am Main 1999 / Translation by permission of Bloodaxe from Ligher than Air (2002) / European Poems on the Underground / Posters are available from the Poetry Society and London's Transport Museum Covent Garden | www.thetube.com | www.europe.gov.uk | www.poetrysociety.org.uk | Poster design by Tom Davidson

  Design

  Attribute	Value
  Material	Paper

• People involved

  Role	Person(s) involved
  Artist	Tom Davidson, 2003
  Commissioner	Poems on the Underground, 2003
  Poet	Hans Magnus Enzensberger, David Constantine, 2003
  Publisher	TfL, 2003