an English translation of the German original of Danker's poem:
"The caged soul
How gladly on the journey she went
To never being seen again!
How she may twist
And turn;
The treetops are a maze.
Often death, the bogeyman,
Beholds the flower early ---
The roof sinks deeper.
The walls become steeper.
In the petals cries of angst
Besiege the poor soul.
O man, consider the end
Before death does your way wend.
Make it that your soul may escape
Through all your senses.
Out the gateway of the eye
May it flee, let it fly.
And from the mouth, that gate beneath,
Set it free in all you speak.
Why hold you on, why hesitate?
In a moment's time it'll be too late!
The spirits await all around
In the window of your eye.
Death,
The strong man,
Touches you.
For what reason?
The caged soul
Has long since gone on the journey
Where to?
To there -------- !
Death."
(EVB)
