Once I filled my hand with mist [German translation]

Once I filled my hand with mist.

Then I opened it and lo, the mist was a worm.

And I closed and opened my hand again,

and behold there was a bird.

And again I closed and opened my hand,

and in its hollow stood a man

with a sad face, turned upward.

And again I closed my hand,

and when I opened it there was naught but mist.

But I heard a song of exceeding sweetness.