Homesickness III

As a boy, I saw flowers blooming -

I don't know any longer - what was it then?

I saw the sun glowing above -

It seems to me I see it yet.

There was a fragrance, there was a radiance;

My soul drank it thirstily in.

I plucked them and made a wreath -

Where can it be?

I seek now on every blossom

For that certain sheen, that certain light -

I search every summer's day,

Yet I have found no such thing.

You never knew what I was doing?

I was searching for my old wreath.

It was so fresh, so light, so lovely -

It was the luster of youth.