Franz Dodel

Nicht bei Trost

«ich mag die Wünsche an denen festzuhalten sich nicht lohnt auch die die lange unerfüllt bleiben»

A haiku is a complete three line lyrical miniature following the 5-7-5 pattern of sound units. Hence, an endless haiku seems contradictory. Nevertheless, the author and theologist Franz Dodel writes a never-ending haiku („Haiku ohne Ende“). Since 2002 he has been adding on, verse after verse – in a daily ritual.

The „never-ending-Haiku“ is something like a poetic breviary that is not written for endless reading. Rather, the author creates a smooth flow of thoughts about God, the world and the self which can be read in several steps as one pleases. „Nicht bei Trost“ (Out of One’s Mind) is truly a literary gem that evades the literary bustle and thereby probably manages to safeguard its poetic serenity.
Departing from the haiku tradition, Dodel has developed a unique poetic form which is wonderfully smooth to read, like an on-going soliloquy. The poetic self is happily driven without following any particular direction: „... ich mag die / Wünsche an denen / festzuhalten sich nicht lohnt /auch die die lange/ unerfüllt bleiben ...“ (I like the / wishful thoughts to which / holding on does not pay off / even the ones that / stay ever unfilled…). And after every 500 lines he makes a reference to Marcel Proust.
You can follow Dodel’s daily spiritual exercise online: www.franzdodel.ch.

(Beat Mazenauer, trans. by Anja Hälg)

Translation of title: Out of One's Mind

Edition Korrespondenzen, Wien 2008

ISBN: 978-3-902113-58-0