Evil Death (Epitaph)

Evil Death,

like a rapacious bird of prey,

has sunken its claws into your heart

and murdered you;

The cursed Butcher of all existing ages

has taken even you.

O, if only they could understand

your soul,

those people to whom I know

my wail of desolation sounds mad!

O, if only they could hear you

in conversation, in hot debate;

I would outline to the people

by means of a dream, perhaps a bold one,

your radiant face,

lit by your love of truth,

your inquisitive intelligence

as you calmly gazed at people.

Just in time, you broke

with "brilliant society"

your connection of custom,

and parted from it without anger,

and through tireless thought,

you have known a different life.

When my beloved mother died,

all sorts of misfortunes befell me;

driven from my childhood home,

shattered, evil, tormented and exhausted,

I timidly and anxiously -

like a frightened child -

sought refuge

in your holy soul.