Those who do not dance

A crippled child
Said, ‘How shall I dance?’
Let your heart dance
We said. 

Then the invalid said:
‘How shall I sing?’
Let your heart sing
We said 

Then spoke the poor dead thistle,
But I, how shall I dance?’
Let your heart fly to the wind
We said.

Then God spoke from above
‘How shall I descend from the blue?’
Come dance for us here in the light
We said.

All the valley is dancing
Together under the sun,
And the heart of him who joins us not
Is turned to dust, to dust.  

Gabriela Mistral

translated by: Helene Masslo Anderson


(Picture: Ringelreihen, Franz Stuck)