Herbert Nehrlich - Techtelmechtel

Don't ask me please.
I do not have a clue,
where this word of magic
and connotation, blue
derives its energy
and oh-so-welcome tease.
Perhaps it's tragic
the spirits who are free
float aimlessly, devoid of wings
through crowded thoughts
and lovely things
and ask themselves
(as do the elves)
where is our home
what are the odds
that one dumb gnome
will spoil the game
due to sheer hate
who takes the shame
when fate is late?
The word is, look
yes, Techtelmechtel,
comes from the time
when soldiers, French
were occupying lands
near that small river
called Der Wechtel
they had, on hand a bit of time
vin rouge for the liver
in the evening the Mensch
usual wartime demands
until time would run out.
To this day the word means
something special to me
it began in my teens
and was always a she.

Herbert Nehrlich

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/techtelmechtel/