Paul Celan (1920-1970) – Alchemical

Silence, like Gold cooked in

Paul Celan (1920-1970)

charred
Hands.
 
Vast, grey,
near as all that is Lost
Sisterly-Shape:
 
All the Names, all the with-
Burnt up
Names. So much
Ash to be blessed. So much
Land gained
above
the light, so light
Soul-
Rings.
 
Vast. Grey. Clinker-
less.
 
You, then.
You with the pale
bitten-out bud,
You in the Wine-Flood.
 
(Did it not discharge
us too, this Hour?
Good,
Good, that your Word died away here.)

Silence, like Gold cooked, in
charred, charred
Hands.
Fingers, smoke-thin. Like Crowns, Air-Crowns
around –
 
Vast. Grey. Track-
less.
Queen-
like.