translated by W.D. Snodgrass, with Dona Rosu and Radu Lupan

 

I.

Autumn of the year outside, the leaves scattered,

While the wind hurls heavy drops against the pane;

You read, from their worn envelopes, old letters

And, in an hour, thumb through your life again.

 

Wasting time on sweet nothings, airy matters,

You’d not want anyone knocking at your door;

Or while it’s sleeting outside, even better

To sit by the fireside and drowse off more and mroe.

 

So in my armchair, pensieve, I stare at nothing,

Dreaming about the fairy Dochia’s story;

Rank on rank, thick mists around me rise.

 

And then I hear, suddenly, a dress rustling,

A soft footfall barely brushing the floor

And slender, cold hands covering my eyes.

 

 

II.

Years lie between and more years will pass by

Since that holy hour when we two met;

I think how much we loved each other yet,

You miracle with cold hands and with wide eyes.

 

O, come again; just as before, inspire

Me to sweet words. Once more, then, let your gaze

Fall on my here and under its clear rays

Let me still stay. Touch new songs from my lyre.

 

You do not even fathom how you bring,

Just by your coming, deep calm to my mind

As a star, rising in the silence, glows.

 

And when I see your childlike smile, I find

Surcease from all a lifetime’s suffering;

My eyes are blazing and my spirit grows.

 

 

III.

When even the voice of thought fades and is still

A song of devotion taunts me, sweet and soft.

I call out then; but will you answer, will

You draw free from the gloom and soar aloft?

 

—With your two large and peace-bestowing eyes

Clarify night’s powers tenderly?

Out of the shadow of the years, arise

So, like a dream, I’ll know you’re nearing me?

 

Draw down, then, closer to me, near and nearer,

Stoop once again, smilingly, above my face

Witnessing to your love, then, with a sigh,

 

Touch, with your brow, the thin lid of my eye

So I can feel the shudder of embrace—

You, forever lost, beloved forever.