TO A FRIEND

On outspread wings in the heights the eagle sails.
The air is thin where he glides, and hard to breathe.
In the mountain winter's desolate air he is lonely far.
Twilight and cold are his retinue -
his only joy
the joy of feeling himself fly on strong wings.

How high you move in the emptiest winter skies,
brave as the eagle because of a lightning will.
You abstained from striving for happiness, you chose steep
paths that frighten us weak ones.
How pale you wander,
wander with swift and resilent steps like the wind.

My world is like yours, and yet it is not like it.
Laughing, my star dances among starry riddles.
Your iron-grey joy, I love it from far in the distance.
Let me go by your side
and reach with my gaze
into your wintry world and your lightning will!

For more information, please visit the website of David McDuff and his own pages with the translations.