Translated by Heather J. Kaltinger
I am so tired, so exhausted in my old age
Best of all I would like to leave decomposing
The leaves continue to fall all around
How long, Lord, shall I remain standing?
I am but a plain blade of grass
But a spike I did carry
And if the sun were to forget me
I did grow for you, for which I am grateful
I am so tired, so exhausted in my old age
Best of all I would like to leave decomposing
But, of maturity I do need more
So please, Lord, let me remain standing,
I desire, if the reaper does approach
and collects his harvest,
not to be immature for the next crop
for You and Your Heaven
(This poem belongs to Karl May’s „Himmelsgedanken“)