Szabó Lőrinc: A prayer for the children (Ima a gyermekekért in English)

You, trees, you creatures, stones and stars above,
I ask you all: do give my children love.
 
Till now, at times when I could not be there,
I trusted you and they were in your care.
 
You always looked at me with kindly eyes,
do love my children after my demise.
 
Rivers, parks, winter, spring, the summer, fall,
give to my children love, I ask you all.
 
You sandy, stony, sealed road, hark a spell,
keep wisely leading girl, the boy as well.
 
Kiss them for me, you wind that blows aloft,
you stones and grasses, 'neath their heads be soft.
 
You, apple tree, offer your fruit to them,
and starry sky, do teach them all you can.
 
You too, dear sun, instruct, with warmth enfold,
into their pockets smuggle secret gold.
 
And you of all kinds, living and no more,
teach them you cloud-banks, eagles as you soar,
 
wild thunderbolts, good ants and tiny snails,
you mighty world, give them what care entails.
 
Mankind is evil, I lack faith therein.
But fire, water, sky and earth are kin.
 
True kin of mine, I turn to you for I,
will be flame, water, sky, earth when I die;
 
flame, water, sky, earth, all the gods above:
I ask you, do love all the ones I love!