Frühe Gedichte -- Brautnacht -- Wedding Night

     Wedding Night

Love trembles in the room far from the feast.
What if the raucous of the guests
should echo through the halls
and break the peace of the bridal bed?

His candles with pale gold flames
swirl incense to heaven
so the married might enjoy their sacred pleasure.

How their hearts beat the time of the hours
until each guest disappears.
How their lips quiver with anticipation
as each lip burns for the other.
They soar, with all the world to celebrate,
and enter the sanctuary together.

His flames of waxen little palms
will light this coming night – still, and small.