Poem for February 2018: 'Loneliness' by Friedrich Nietzsche (English translation)

No, this poem is not a personal cry for help.

When I read it today, I couldn´t help but think about the many refugees 

who are exposed to the cold of winter,

who have lost their homes 

but have been unable to find a place for themselves and their families away from them.

Loneliness          

With whirring wings

the crows head cawing for the town.

Soon, it´ll snow —

And blessed they who ´ve still — a home.      

Your ´re standing frozen,                                            

Looking back. — how long it ´s been!

Oh why, you fool,                                          

from winter to the world didst flee?

The world – a gate                                                       

To a thousand deserts dumb and cold!                                                                 

Who lost what you

have lost no boundaries can hold.

You´re standing pale

Condemned to wander winter´s ways                     

Like to the smoke

In constant search of colder skies.                           

So fly, bird, crow                                                          

in avian desert tones your song

and you, fool, stow                                                      

your bleeding heart in ice and scorn!

With whirring wings

the crows head crying for the town.

Soon, it´ll snow —

and woe to those without a home.

Friedrich Nietzsche, 1884. English translation by Gudrun Rogge-Wiest, 2018