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!

         


Return to listing of Poems

Author and Curator:   Dr. David P. Stern
     Mail to Dr.Stern:   david("at" symbol)phy6.org .

Last updated 15 May 2002