When thou savest me the steps are lighter in the march of thy worlds.
When stains are washed away from my heart it brightens the light of thy sun.
That the bud has not blossomed in beauty in my life spreads sadness in the heart of creation
When the shroud of darkness will be lifted from my soul it will bring music to thy smile.
10
Tnou hast given me thy love, filling the world with thy gifts.
They are showered upon me when I do not know them, for my heart is asleep and dark is the night.
Yet though lost in the cavern of my dreams I have been thrilled with fitful gladness;
And I know that in return for the treasure of thy great worlds thou wilt receive from me one little flower of love in the morning when my heart awakes.
11
My eyes have lost their sleep in watching; yet if I do not meet thee still it is sweet to watch.
My heart sits in the shadow of the rains waiting for thy love; if she is deprived still it is sweet to hope.
They walk away in their different paths leaving me behind; if I am alone still it is sweet to listen for thy footsteps.
The wistful face of the earth weaving its autumn mists wakens longing in my heart; if it is in vain still it is sweet to feel the pain of longing.
12
Hold thy faith firm, my heart, the day will dawn.
The seed of promise is deep in the soil, it will sprout.
Sleep, like a bud, will open its heart to the light, and the silence will find its voice.
The day is near when thy burden will become thy gift, and thy sufferings will light up thy path.
13
The wedding hour is in the twilight, when the birds have sung their last and the winds are at rest on the waters, when the sunset spreads the carpet in the bridal chamber and the lamp is made ready to burn through the night.
Behind the silent dark walks the Unseen Comer and my heart trembles.
All songs are hushed, for the service will be read under the evening star.
14
In the night when noise is tired the murmur of the sea fills the air.
The vagrant desires of the day come back to their rest round the lighted lamp.
Love’s play is stilled into worship, life’s stream touches the deep, and the world of forms comes to its nest in the beauty beyond all forms.
15
Who is awake all alone in this sleeping earth, in the air drowsing among the moveless leaves? awake in the silent birds’ nests, in the secret centres of the flower buds? awake in the throbbing stars of the night, in the depth of the pain of my being?
16
You came to my door in the dawn and sang; it angered me to be awakened from sleep, and you went away unheeded.
You came in the noon and asked for water; it vexed me in my work, and you were sent away with reproaches.
You came in the evening with your flaming torches.
You seemed to me like a terror and I shut my door.
Now in the midnight I sit alone in my lampless room and call you back whom I turned away in insult.
17
Pick up this life of mine from the dust.
Keep it under your eyes, in the palm of your right hand.
Hold it up in the light, hide it under the shadow of death; keep it in the casket of the night with your stars, and then in the morning let it find itself among flowers that blossom in worship.
18
I know that this life, missing its ripeness in love, is not altogether lost.
I know that the flowers that fade in the dawn, the streams that strayed in the desert, are not altogether lost.
I know that whatever lags behind in this life laden with slowness is not altogether lost.
I know that my dreams that are still unfulfilled, and ray melodies still unstruek, are clinging to some lute-strings of thine, and they are not altogether lost.
19
You came to me in the wayward hours of spring with flute songs and flowers.
You troubled my heart from ripples into waves, rocking the red lotus of love.
You asked me to come out with you into the secret of life.
But I fell asleep among the murmurous leaves of May
When I woke the cloud gathered in the sky and the dead leaves flitted in the wind.
Through the patter of rain I hear your nearing footsteps and the cry to come out with you into the secret of death.
I walk to your side and put my hand into yours, while your eyes burn and water drips from your hair.
20
The day is dim with rain.
Angry lightnings glance through the tattered cloud-veils
And the forest is like a caged lion shaking its mane in despair.
On such a day amidst the winds beating their wings, let me find my peace in thy presence.
For the sorrowing sky has shadowed my solitude, to deepen the meaning of thy touch about my heart.
21
On that night when the storm broke open my door
I did not know that you entered my room through the ruins,
For the lamp was blown out, and it became dark;
I stretched my arms to the sky in search of help.
I lay on the dust waiting in the tumultuous dark and I knew not that storm was your own banner.
When the morning came I saw you standing upon the emptiness that was spread over my house.
22
Is it the Destroyer who comes?
For the boisterous sea of tears heaves in the floodtide of pain.
