Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


APPENDIX TO 'LAZARUS': 2 by HEINRICH HEINE

First Line: MY HEAD BY THE MAIDEN SWARTHY BUT FAIR
Last Line: TO BEAR HEAVEN'S DISPENSATIONS.
Subject(s): BODIES; FATE; KISSES; TEARS; DESTINY;

MY head by the maiden swarthy but fair
Was press'd 'gainst her bosom with yearning;
But, alas! to grey soon turn'd my hair,
Where had fallen her tears so burning.

She kiss'd me ill, and she kiss'd me lame,
She kiss'd till my eyes were faded;
My spinal marrow dried up became,
By her mouth's wild sucking pervaded.

My body is now a corpse, wherein
My spirit is fetter'd closely;
'Tis often angry, and makes a din,
And storms and struggles morosely.

O impotent curses! Not even a fly
Can be kill'd by mere execrations;
Submit to thy fate, and patiently try
To bear Heaven's dispensations.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net