Songs from an Island — Ingeborg Bachmann

Ingeborg Bachmann (1954) Albanian version by Eda Zari

Songs from an Island

When someone leaves, he must throw into the sea the hat with the shells he gathered all summer, and sail with his hair in the wind.

He must overturn into the sea the table he laid for his beloved; he must pour into the sea the wine left in the glass; he must give his bread to the fish and mingle one drop of blood with the sea.

He must send his knife deep into the waves and sink his shoe, heart, anchor and cross, and sail with his hair in the wind.

Then he will return. When? Do not ask.

Painting: Gustave Courbet, Bay with Sailing Ships under Storm Clouds.