Thinking of My Life

 After My Death

 

by Chayim Nachman Bialik     (5664--1903/4)

Translated from the Hebrew by David P. Stern

 

      After my death, thus shall you mourn me

      "There was a man --and see: he is no more!

      Before his time did this man depart

      And the song of his life in its midst was stilled

      And alas! One more tune did he have

      And now that tune is forever lost

      Forever lost!

 

      And great is the pity! For a harp had he

      A living and singing soul

      And this poet, whenever he voiced it

      The inner secrets of his heart it expressed

      All its strings his hand would make sing out.

      Yet one hidden chord now is lost with him

      Round and round it his fingers would dance

      One string in his heart, mute has remained

      Mute has remained -- to this very day!

 

      And great, oh great is the pity!

      All its life this string would tremble

      Silently quivering, silently trembling

      To sound the tune that would set it free

      Yearning, thirsting, sorrowing, desiring

      As the heart sorrows for what fate has decreed

      Though its tune was delayed -- every day did it wait

      And with unheard whisper begged it to come

      Its time came and passed, and it never arrived

      It never arrived!

 

      And great, oh, how great is the pain

      There was a man --and see: he is no more

      And the song of his life in its midst is stilled

      One more melody did he have

      And now that song is forever lost

      Forever lost!