My Song
Ich hab im Traum geweinet
the Heine words that Schumann set
a chord or two – then voice alone –
to terrify
That is my loss
the power in my throat
to go into your heart
whether you would or not
Gone, only a trace memory
in the body itself
but in my mind
clear and powerful
My phantom voice
as sensuous as ever
sings in my ear
but oh, if you could hear
you would be moved to tears.
Lari Smith
[on hearing “Ich hab im Traum geweinet”, a setting of the Heine poem
by Robert Schumann]