Farewell and Compassion

When will you cease to part? When will it be enough? Enough standing in the doorway, waving farewell, Enough gazing at the horizon, following his fading likeness. Enough seeing his gaze in every eye, In every smile, the happiness chopped to a stump, In every sorrow, your grief, whose branches spread in every direction. When will you forgive? When will there be compassion? Compassion for the world that has lost him? Compassion for him who has lost his world? Compassion for merciful eyes, For all the smiles that cease not for a moment, For all the moments of weeping that shall water you And be the bed from which you grow. Compassion, too, for yourself. In the end, whoever does not part Remains alone upon the threshold of his home, Between outside and in, With half a crooked smile and a glistening eye, Losing himself anew with every cruel moment. Yet still he keeps on waving, And will not let go, Until others say to him: Enough. And their compassion toward him.