The Ever-Wakeful Sleeper in the Wind-Tossed Boat

God sleeps, yet does not sleep. His sleep reveals
weakness of the disciples' faith within the storm
when he withdraws his sheltering hand from them,
concealing, as it seems, his shining eye of grace.
Calamity compels him instantly to wake.
He who binds the winds holds in his hand the band
and can as easily call back what he sent forth.
At once they come from every corner of the rocks.
The wave that wants to wed itself to clouds,
expecting them to bow, is now brought low,
retreating humbly to its ordered place.
Now sea and wind are still, a vital question rises:
What kind of man is this, whom wind and sea obey?
I answer: He who makes us one with God.

Click here to read this sonnet in the original German.