Selige Sehnsucht

From Johann Wolfgang Goethe:

Selige Sehnsucht:

Sagt es niemand, nur den Weisen, weil die Menge gleich verhöhnet,
Das Lebendge willich preisen
das nach Flamentod sich sehnet.

In der Liebesnächte Kühlung,
die dich zeugte, wo du zeugtest,
Überfällt dich fremde Fühlung
Wenn die stille kerze leuchtet.

Nicht mehr bleibst du umfangen
In der Finsternis Beschattung,
Und dich reißet neu Verlangen
Auf zu höherer Begattung.

Keine Ferne macht dich schwierig.
Komst geflogen und gebannt.
Und zuletzt, des Lichts begierig.
bist du Schmetterling verbrannt.

Und solang du das nicht hast,
Dieses: Stirb und werde!
Bist du nur ein trüber Gast
Auf der dunklen Erde.”

OK, here the translation:

Blessed Longing

Blessed Longing


What I tell you, better censor.
Bruit it only to the wiser.
I celebrate what lives intenser:
Life that yearns for death-by-fire.

Nights of loving, nights of cooling,
Where you’re begot, where you’re begetting,
Seize you with what eerie feeling
When hushed candle-rays are jetting.

Shadows of the dark no longer
Bind you down to be night’s plaything.
Now you’re launched by newer longing
Up to ever higher mating.

Now no distance is too distant.
Wafted spirit, spellbound flesh.
Moth compelled by flame’s insistent
Magnet, you must burn to ash.

And till you confront this test,
This dying-and-becoming,
You’ll only be a dismal guest
at the earth’s dim gloaming.

Re: Selige Sehnsucht

I was so drawn into this by the title, like some new Beatitude - blessed are those who are gripped by longing, for they shall… what? I suppose from this we could say … be burnt to ash? :)

Liebe,

Nicole

Re: Selige Sehnsucht

YES!

Re: Selige Sehnsucht

:) yay! thanks dear friend.

Re: Selige Sehnsucht

“Now no distance is too distant.
Wafted spirit, spellbound flesh.
Moth compelled by flame’s insistent
Magnet, you must burn to ash.

And till you confront this test,
This dying-and-becoming,
You’ll only be a dismal guest
at the earth’s dim gloaming.”



These lines of the poem radiate a radical readiness and passion not understandable for anyone who is only examining life. Only interested in it. Trying to be smart, cool, clever, brilliant or only curious.

Only those who do not fear the mystery, enigma and overhwelming infinity -including the dangers! of life have a chance to taste it. And to throw into this fire and light.

Very best,
Albert

Re: Selige Sehnsucht

I love what you say about:

Only those who do not fear the mystery, enigma and overhwelming infinity -including the dangers! of life have a chance to taste it. And to throw into this fire and light.


Love,


Nicole