My Blue Piano
by Else Lasker-SchŸler
translation
Janine Canan
At home I have a blue piano
but cannot play a single note.
It stands in the dark of the cellar door
ever since the world turned savage.
Four starry hands play,
the Moon Lady sang in her boat.
Now rats dance to a clatter.
Its keyboard is shattered--
I weep over the dead blue thing.
Ah dear Angel, I have eaten
such bitter bread--please open
for me while still alive--even
though forbidden--Heaven's door.