1. Is it lightning crowning the hilltops?

    Or else, that is the fire of hospitality.

  2. As though its gleam were ailing eyes,

    Trying to discern the midmorning sun.

  3. Or else, those are lamps that, before

    Going out, flare up to cleave the darkness.

  4. Or else, those are swords swaying

    In the weary hands of valiant warriors.

  5. Or else, the hoof-falls of horses upon

    Rocks from which flames flew.

  6. And the rocks the eyes behold

    Are but morning rain clouds bound for the wilderness.

  7. They almost fly in longing for them—

    The thirsty hills—whenever the clouds appear.

  8. As though the earth sought to kiss them,

    So it stretched the heads of the hillocks toward them.

  9. When they pass through a barren valley,

    And trail the skirts of rain over it,

  10. They clothe it in mantles of fine silk,

    And make its flanks forget what thirst is.

  11. May their sweet rain water the days of youth,

    For that time was a garden of luscious fruit,

  12. When life was like a supple bough,

    Bending beneath the weight of the fruits of hope.

  13. O my heart, how long will you go on yearning?

    And how often the days of early youth make you yearn!

  14. Gently, now: I have seen hearts

    Shatter from this, and even from part of this.

  15. You kept company with sorrow after that time,

    As though you find sorrow sweet.

Sol 6.1