As the last light of day was gathering deep down in the sea
and shimmering spray was calmly soothing the shore,
I wandered along, and the surging laid bare my memory,
until I realized: I’d been here once before.
And I could hear its eager, ceaseless calling,
whispering of mysteries that seemed both strange and dear,
and through the shadows that like shrouds of rain were falling
slowly and quietly a vessel was gliding near.
I felt inside a pang of sudden longing
just to jump on board and leave those darkling sands
– the dumb routines, the muted restlessness of living –
to find another home no matter where I’d land.
And then I saw on board the lonely figure,
cloaked in darkness, and hooded was his face.
He stood there motionless and I knew he watched me
with stern and piercing all-too familiar gaze.
„Where have you come from, where are you heading to?
How can you sail when no wind blows?“ –
„Why do you ask – it’s you who were calling me.
Yours is the boat and by your course it will go.“
His voice resounding with my own tired desolation
and at my back a steady breeze began to blow.
Somewhere deep inside I yearned for this departure,
but even deeper I didn’t want to know.
He stood and watched, and his unseen eyes
were no more than blind mirrors of my soul.
„This night alone I can carry you over
to your own lands where you’ll be safe and whole.“
And I could hear the eager, ceaseless calling.
I turned and ran away and cast no glance behind.
And in the shadows I cried with desperation
for the loss of the unknown infinities of my mind.
Crystal 11/04/04