The River of Life

Life is the restless
not the gentle river
it meanders
none knows
to which shore
it surrenders --

in your lone travel
the boat shivers
the sky might be dark
and dusk might usher
in the most foreboding shadows-

your mind startles
your heart hardly knows
what next follows-

in the rage of the storms
the tides they wildly struggle
in the watery welter
and you'll wonder
whether your endeavour
would be worth the trouble
of this chosen venture-

hark! Can't you hear
the voice of the water
which says: every life
has to undergo
this experience unavoidable

hark! Can't you hear
the voice from the water
which says: don't you know
everyone is put to the task
of this sojourn inescapable?