Sunset - Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff

We have passed through sorrow and joy,

walking hand in hand.

Now we need not seek the way:

we have settled in a peaceful land.

The dark comes early to our valley,

and the night mist rises.

Two dreamy larks sally

forth–our souls’ disguises.

We let their soaring flight delight

us, then, overcome by sleep

at close of day, we must alight

before we fly too far, or dive too deep.

The great peace here is wide and still

and rich with glowing sunsets:

If this is death, having had our fill

of getting lost, we find beauty, –No regrets.

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Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857) Poland (orginally German Prussia)
Translated by James McColley Eilers

Source: inTranslation