Hermann Hesse

At Night on the High Seas

At night, when the sea cradles me
And the pale star gleam
Lies down on its broad waves,
Then I free myself wholly
From all activity and all the love
And stand silent and breathe purely,
Alone, alone cradled by the sea
That lies there, cold and silent, with a thousand lights.
Then I have to think of my friends
And my gaze sinks into their gazes
And I ask each one, silent, alone:
"Are you still mine"
Is my sorrow a sorrow to you, my death a death?
Do you feel from my love, my grief,
Just a breath, just an echo?"
And the sea peacefully gazes back, silent,
And smiles: no.
And no greeting and now answer comes from anywhere.

1911

1902

go to "I Know, You Walk" go to "Lonesome Night"

go to " A Swarm of Gnats " go to " The Poet "

go to "I Know, You Walk"	go to "Lonesome Night"
go to " A Swarm of Gnats "	go to " The Poet "