Two Larks

I heard two larks singing,
They sang so bright and clear
And flew on joyful wings
Across the sky so wonderfully.
One approached the sun
Blinded, it withdrew in awe
While often recalling with delight
Memories of this past bliss.
Yet, it does not dare to raise
Its wings towards those rays,
Afraid, that its striving
Might turn to pain, in the end.
The other [lark], courageously venturing
Swings itself up, close to the sun
Yet it fearfully closes its eyes
Along this never-taken path.
Yet, it can not resist
It feels an invincible desire
To see the heavenly rays
Hardly aware of itself, anymore.
It gazes into the bright sun
Gazes at it without complaint
In heavenly bliss and joy,
Until, finally, its eyes break.

-Nietzsche