O soul of song, hast thou forsaken me?
Thoughts journey through my spirit night and day.
And throng the gateways of my soul, and pray
That thou who boldest in thine hand the key,
Would'st let them forth, that they might wander free.
Listen, O distant soul, to what they say:
We wander up and down, yet find no way,
To lead us forth from our captivity.
Lo, we have messages for those outside,
And all day long we beat against the gate:
Come then, O song, my thoughts to liberate;
Make thou in turn each one thy fruitful bride,
Or must through life they daily watch and wait.
And in dark places of my soul abide?