The Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz Follow

(see note on translation below)

The better angels of our nature were standing there in awe
The sculptor danced with his statue and caressing the flaws in the bronze
The patient reached out her hand and said
"This incision seems rather long"

Well, then the mood of the moment grew heavy
As the pendulum pushed against gears
Serenity can track you down in a second
And cheat you out of your best years

I don't know why you wanted to check out, oh, so swiftly
When the road just comes so quickly to the end
Your friends were holding a vigil that you'd come back to them in one piece
But the better angels of our nature could do nothing to lessen their grief

I am the thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glint on snow
When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush
Quiet birds in circled flight, I am the dark star that shines at night
I am the fly that climbs on walls, I am the rattle in the halls
I know you had no intention of leaving me so swiftly
But the road just came so quickly to the end

The better angels of our nature were standing there in awe
The sculptor danced with his statue and caressing the flaws in the bronze

This is a truly beautiful poem. The translation from the Latin appears to be VERY FREE (which I consider great--think Coleman Barks, Stephen Mitchell, Robert Bly, et al). I wonder if it would be possible for someone to supply the original Antiphon "in Paradisum" lyrics in Latin?