Real-Life Romance

When they had known each other eight years

(and you can say that that was that),

their love suddenly disappeared.

As others lose a stick or hat.

They were sad, behaved cheerfully,

tried to kiss away the matter,

and looked at each other helplessly.

At length she wept. And he stood there.

Ships could be waved to from the window.

He told her, it was a quarter past four

and time, coffee to drink somewhither.

Someone rehearsed a piano score.

They went to the smallest café roundabout

and stirred their spoon in their cup.

When evening fell they hadn’t come out.

They sat alone, wordless no doubt

and couldn’t clear it all up.

Erich Kästner