The Split of the Soul,

by J. W. Cassandra

"The Split of the Soul" is one of my last poems written. I have not put it in a book yet; it was inspired by the picture in the illustration. If you pay close attention, you might even see the soul crouching on the ice.

The poem is an allegorical work full of symbols. The split of the soul is reminiscent of the split of the ice of a lake or river, but while the ice remains part of the cycle, the soul, if it splits, can never be whole again. The soul song on the ice is the North Star: the mystery itself, which can be the remedy for the soul. The lyrical self addresses the reader, thus making the abstract image personal. And thus she also accuses him of omission: "You let her split, and now she is leaving you."

The winter landscape, which is briefly described by the "floating ice", underscores this omission: its desolate, cold, hopeless environment emphasizes the outcast. What could give hope is delayed: the spring with its flower flounces does not yet appear anywhere, its absence is also emphasized by the lights of the shore: star thieves.

I recommend this poem to readers who like abstract poems.

Winter has been taken captive:
On floating ice, the light is fainting.
Traces of spring are delayed –
Only the split of the soul sounds.

The ice floats on the river
Before spring flower-flounced.
Shore lights accompany it,
The burning out star thieves.

The soul shivers on floating ice,
She weeps for you, sings your light –
Spring does not come; only ice splits,
Soul song on ice is the North Star.

The soul floats on an ice float –
Eager shore lights shine on.
You let her split, and now she leaves you:
Her sob reaches the North Star!

Perhaps this will give hope,
When you will have been absolved!

18 / 01. 2026, by J. W. Cassandra

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