Longing for Nothingness

Longing for Nothingness

Sad spirit, once so ready for the fight,

Hope, who so often spurred you on your way,

Rides you no longer. Have no shame, lie down;

Old horse, the stones have lamed your stumbling feet.

Let go, my heart, and sleep your brutish sleep.

Defeated weary mind, you old marauder,

Now neither love nor combat can arouse you;

Farewell, the trumpet’s call, the sighing flute!

Old pleasures, tempt this brooding heart no longer!

The fragrance of the spring is gone for ever.

Minute by minute, Time engulfs my soul

As snowdrifts swallow up a stiffening corpse;

I contemplate the round globe from above

And seek no hut to shelter from it all.

Come, Avalanche, take me with you in your fall!