Touch of Dutch

Continued from page 40

Kallenner sin yo gaar nix waert, Waer's net fer deine Wichdichkeit

Un guder Rot zu Bauersleit. Un yetz bei mir

Ich glaab an dir –

Du bischt en schmaert un gscheit Gedier!

-Edgar M. Eschelman

You Dear Groundhog

I like the groundhog, fat and round, It's right at home in the cold ground; To its winter bed it's going soon, Snores a little, then falls asleep.

And yet I'll bet

Its clock is set

To get awake – the second of February!

It could be that the sun comes out again; The groundhog won't stay in its house, It calls heartily, "Hey! You people!

Soon the warm springtime will come."

The groundhog here, It does it thus,

So that it is satisfied and happy.

If it sees its shadow, like the wind

It slips into its hole – fast! quickly!

"Six weeks more of wintertime!"

So says the groundhog, ever ready.

And it’s also true,

I want to make it clear –

That's been its rule for many a year.

You dear groundhog, highly honored: Almanacs are not worth a thing, If it weren't for your importance

And good advice to the farmers. And now, as for me, I believe in you –

You are a smart and knowledgeable animal!

[Peter V. Fritsch’s poem was from his book of poetry and Scherenschnitte, Der Haahne Greht (The rooster crows).

Edgar M. Eschelman’s poem was printed in Earl C. Haag’s newspaper column, Es Nein-uhr Schtick (The nine o’clock piece or break for farmers out in the field.).

By the time you read this, you will know if the groundhog had seen its shadow. So far, we had a mild winter, but who knows what lies ahead –except that sly(?) groundhog!]