Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PHANTASUS: 6, 20 by ARNO HOLZ

First Line: FOR SEVEN SEPTILLION YEARS
Last Line: GROW FLOWERS.

For seven septillion years
I counted the milestones at the edge of the Milky Way.

There was no end to them.

For myriads of æons
I lost myself in the miracle of one sole, small dewdrop.

New ones were always disclosing themselves.

Then my heart trembled!

Blessedly
I stretched myself and became earth.

Now blackberries climb
over me,
on a swaying blackthorn twig
a robin twitters.

Out of my breast
leaps a joyful spring,
out of my skull
grow flowers.



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