Else Lasker-Schüler, born Elisabeth Schüler on February 11, 1869 in Elberfeld, Germany, was a German Jewish poet, short-story writer, playwright, and novelist affiliated with the avant-garde and German Expressionism. She was the author of several works, including Styx, Die Wupper and Mein blaues Klavier. Lasker-Schüler emigrated to Switzerland in 1933 after the Nazis came to power in Germany. In 1940, she resettled in Jerusalem in Palestine, where she spent her last years in poverty. She died there at age 75 on January 22, 1945.

To read Else Lasker-Schüler’s poem “Reconciliation” click:

Reconciliation

by Else Lasker-Schüler

A great star will fall into my lap . . .
We would hold vigil tonight,

Praying in languages
That are carven like harps.

We would be reconciled tonight—
So fully God overwhelms us.

Our hearts are only children,
Eager for weary-sweet slumber.

And our lips would kiss each other,
Why are you fearful?

Does not your heart border upon mine—
Your blood always dyes my cheeks red.

We would be reconciled tonight,
If we clasp each other, we shall not perish.

A great star will fall into my lap.

 – translated by Babette Deutsch and Avrahm Yarmolinsky

This poem is in the public domain.