I publish here my prose translation of Hermann Hesse’s poem Stufen (prompted by the poor quality of other translations I found on the internet). I am more and more convinced that he must have been an enlightened master!
Stages
As every flower fades, and youth turns always into old age, so every stage of life, all wisdom and all virtue, flowers also, yet cannot last forever.
Whenever life beckons, the heart must be ready to take its leave and start over, venturing into new commitments bravely and without sorrow. For a magic dwells in each beginning, which protects us and teaches us how to live.
Cheerfully, then, let us traverse realm on realm, cleaving to none as to a home. The spirit of the world does not desire to fetter or restrict us, but to raise us higher, step by step. For whenever we are accustomed to some station in life, we risk falling into sleep. Only he who is prepared to make a break and move on can escape the crippling force of habit.
Perchance even the hour of death will send us out afresh towards undreamt-of lands. Life’s call to us is unending. Take courage then, my heart, take leave and fare thee well.