Pär Lagerkvist: The Dead One

Frederic Leighton - Flaming June

The Dead One

All is there, only I am no more,
all is still there, the fragrance of rain in the grass
as I remember it, and the sough of wind in the trees,
the flight of the clouds and the disquiet of the human heart.

Only my heart’s disquiet is no longer there.
-- --
Only that which smoulders
can become ashes.
Ashes are holy

You touched me
and I became ashes.
My ego, my self turned to ashes, consumed by you.

So say the lover and the believer.
You touched me. I am holy.
That is, not I, but my ashes are holy.

Pär Lagerkvist

Soundtrack: Elina: April come she will