Friday, December 9, 2016

Family Feature--Arthur Rehbein (pseudonym Atz vom Rhyn)—In Memory 1867-1952—Germany

(shared and authorized for publication by Gert Knop—a Whispers’ contributor since 2013)

Autumn Joy (English)

Autumn moon - Mother of God spins
white silk threads.
At night time
practise yet the wind
at window shutters.
Laughing colorful flowering May
golden summer's glitter -
already past, already past,
passed like a dream.

But there is no place for woefulness;
every nice hour
rests like a saved treasure
deep in the bottom of heart,
friendly reminder
- even if the mouth is silent -
Eternally young, eternally young
still remains our own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Herbstfreude (German)

Herbstmond. – Mutter Gottes spinnt
Weiße Seidenfäden.
Nächtens übt sich schon der Wind
An den Fensterläden.
Lachend bunter Blütenmai,
Gold'nen Sommers Prangen –
Schon vorbei, schon vorbei,
Wie ein Traum vergangen.

Doch für Wehmut ist kein Platz;
Jede schöne Stunde
Ruht wie ein gesparter Schatz
Tief im Herzensgrunde,
Freundliche Erinnerung
– Mag der Mund auch schweigen –
Ewig jung, ewig jung
Bleibt sie unser Eigen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arthur Rehbein, also known under his pseudonym Atz vom Rhyn, was one of Gert Knop’s grandfather's brothers. He was born on October 26, 1867 in Remscheid, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and died on February 29, 1952 in Berlin, Germany. His son Max H. Rehbei was a journalist, TV-editor and producer for the NDR (North German Radio).

Arthur Rehbein was a journalist and author. He did extensive travels around the world and published many books including three volumes of poetry. He started as a tradesman but became a jounalist in 1893. He moved to Arnstadt/Thuringia, Germany where he wrote articles for the'Arnstädter Tageblatt', an Arnstadt newspaper. In 1899, he left Arnstadt and became chief editor of the newspaper 'Krefelder Anzeiger'. In 1901, he moved to Cologne and wrote until 1903 for the Cologn nespaper 'Kölner Tageblatt'. But he wanted a change in 1904 and studied art history and natural sciences in Bonn, Germany, Strasbourg. In 1907, he moved to Stuttgart (Germany) and wrote for the 'Württemberger Zeitung), a Stuttgart newspaper. Later he moved to Berlin, Germany and wrote for the newspaper 'Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung'. He wrote stories, radio dramas, poetry and particularly narrations accounts of his travels to foreign countries with a vivid and humorous depiction. Arthur Rehbein was a member of the 'Erfurter Akademie gemeinnütziger Wissenschaften' in Thuringia (Erfurt Academy and was awarded the title 'Geheimer Hofrat' (Privy Counsellor).

20 comments:

  1. wonderful poem thanks for sharing ,love and light,angelee

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    1. Thank you angelee for your kind comment!
      All the best!
      Gert

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    2. Dear Gert,

      Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem for our first family feature at Whispers. I found Arthur's bio fascinating as was his poem. I appreciate your ongoing contributions to make our online journal a creative experience.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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    3. Dear Karen,

      Thank you for posting Arthur's poem being the first family feature on your blog! Take care and I hope that you are feeling better!

      Love,
      Gert

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  2. Lovely poem...die deutsche Fassung glaenzt!

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  3. love this & now I see why poetry runs through your veins, my friend!

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  4. Really love to read it, in the German language it's rhymed poetry and personally I like that version best but the translation reflects the write well

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    1. Thank you Daginne Aignend that you liked both versions!
      All the best, Gert

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  5. Dear Gert,
    Thank you for sending this lovely poem by Arthur. I can't think of a better sentiment than "JOY" as the debut theme for Whispers' new Family Feature opportunity.
    Blessings,
    Michael

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    1. Dear Michael, Thank you for your kind comment and that you liked the poem of my grandfather's brother Arthur.
      I hope that many of our members of the Whispers' Family may follow and post also some of their relatives' poems.
      Blessings and have a great weekend!
      Gert

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  6. Gert,
    A great write in German and English. Your great-uncle(grandfather's brother was one talented man.
    Your friend,
    David Fox

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    1. Thank you David for your friendly comment! Yes, my great-uncle was really talented and he also wrote many books.
      Have a great time, my fiend!
      Gert

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  7. thank you Gert for sharing this poem. He sounds like a very alive, joyful man. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Jo, yes indeed he was a joyful man and always 'on the run'. He wrote many books about his travels and of course poetry.

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  8. I really enjoyed the read, especially the German version, not that I read German, just that I like trying. A well written poem. It's obvious that your talent runs in the family. Thanks for sharing a part of you.

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    1. Thank you Charlene for your kind comment!
      All the best!
      From Gert

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  9. Absolutely lovely! Special memories are indeed something to treasure. Arthur Rehbein was a talented man! Regards ~ paul

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