O you tender ones, walk now and theninto the breath that blows coldly past,
Upon your cheeks let it tremble and part;behind you it will tremble together again.
O you blessed ones, you who are whole,you who seem the beginning of hearts,bows for the arrows and arrows' targets—tear-bright, your lips more eternally smile.
Don't be afraid to suffer; returnthat heaviness to the earth's own weight;heavy are the mountains, heavy the seas.
Even the small trees you planted as childrenhave long since become too heavy; you could notcarry them now.
But the winds…But the spaces….
Translated by Stephen Mitchell
