Karin Boye

The Stars' Solace

I asked a star last night
- far away , where no one lives, a light -,
'Whom do you light, strange star?
You move so light and bright.'

I made my pity grow mute
when she looked with her starry gaze
'I light a night eternal,
I light a lifeless space.

My light is a flower that withers
in the skies' late autumn, rough.
That light is all my solace.
That light is solace enough.'