THE MUSIC THAT WALKED AWAY

When she was still young, her hair in braids—

Why, violin, did you turn away?

How could you let this music go barefoot,

Into such a strange, seductive night?

O bow, and where were you looking?—

Gray hairs now shedding from her shoulders—

How could you let this music go barefoot,

Into such a strange, seductive night?

I’ll grasp a slice of earth

And go wander through the world—

Let only a light wind blow

Along my scattered path . . .

Mommy, daddy, if they ask you,

Whether your son has disappeared, out of sight—

Just say: he’s searching for that music

That barefoot walked into the night.

Translated by Mark Andryczyk