illustration of Else Lasker-Schüler from "Tino of Baghdad" by Else Lasker-Schüler 1907
To the Barbarian
The rough drops of your blood
Bring sweetness to my skin.
Do not call my eyes traitresses
Because they’re floating around your skies;
I’m resting on your night, smiling
And teaching your stars how to play.
And I’m walking through the rusty gate
Of your bliss with a song.
I love you and am coming nearer, in white
And transfigured on pilgrimage toes,
I’m taking your haughty heart,
Pure chalice, with me to the angels.
I love you as if I’d died
And my soul were spread across you –
My soul took in all the pain,
Its bitter images will shatter you.
But there are so many roses in bloom
I’d like to give you;
I’d like to bring you all the gardens
Woven into a wreath.
I keep thinking of you
Until the clouds drop down;
We’d like to kiss,
Wouldn’t we?
by Else Lasker-Schüler
