Whoever Comes From The Earth

by Nelly Sachs

Nelly Sachs

Whoever
comes from the Earth
reaching for the moon
or
other heavenly mineral flower –
will soar high
wounded by blasts
of memory
shot from the explosive burst of yearning
for
out of Earth’s painted night
his winged prayers arise
out of daily destructions
seeking the inner pathways of the eyes.

Craters and arid seas
filled with tears
travelling through starry stations
escaping from dust and ashes.

Everywhere the Earth
is building its colonies of homesickness.
Not to land
on the oceans of addicted blood
only to sway
in the luminous music of ebb and flood
only to sway
to the rhythm of the unscathed
mark of eternity:
life – death –





Last updated June 19, 2019