Give me a few words

 
O cloud, give me your word, you will not forget!
Give me your word, at day's end with lamp in hand
you'll come asking, how well am I truly faring!


Give your word, you will speak without cutting or tearing,
never forget to cast me aside when darkness finally lifts,
you'll want me just this much, as you want me now!


Look, don't let me drown in the wake of each word,
rather keep me floating in silence, as much as you can.
Let me know, how much I lose myself in talk alone...
Just like this, exactly how much do you lose too?


Give your word, you won't stay alone in the empty cottage,
won't smear all that burning across your heart,
you'll tell me how much my memory scalds you,
and how much joy will fill your patience this evening.
How far you've come toward my home,
how much of me still waits to be born within you!


Give your word, you'll make dreams weep every day,
if you ever turn the boat back to this shore,
then eyes will open searching only for me.
You won't paint nightmares today in the guise of deep affection,
won't take me far on some unknown sorrow's command,
never lull me to sleep while building settlements of hope,
you'll tell me exactly how much wave I am at your shore,
how much I exist merged within you!


Give your word, your words will never end,
you'll say how much I remain myself,
and how much I've become yours.
You'll show me your love's blessing,
exactly as much as you fill me with it,
how much you are mine, how much I am yours,
you'll tell me how complete your life has become this time,
how much more precious it's grown than even mine.
You'll tell me how much hurt you split in two this evening,
how much you tucked in your breast pocket,
how much you still keep in reserve,
and how much you hid of yourself...from me!


Give your word, you won't forget the words,
won't search for any gaps between words,
you'll follow the rule, save me every day,
when words run out, you'll search for me,
in pain's distance if the soul ever runs out of tenderness,
even if some harsh pull tears at the heartstrings,
even in seeking happiness, never forgetting,
you won't curry favor even when sorrow comes,
you'll tell me how good the me that lives within me is,
how much of me was lost,
and how much of yours was lost!


Give your word, you'll give words every day,
whatever words you gave me then,
you'll bring me the answer to that search,
even if I'm spent, you'll still remember,
you'll tell me how much you truly know what keeping one's word means,
give your word, you will not forget the words,
give your word, you'll keep the words in mind.