Love at First Sight
They're both convinced
that a sudden passion joined them.
Such certainty is beautiful,
but uncertainty is more beautiful still.
that a sudden passion joined them.
Such certainty is beautiful,
but uncertainty is more beautiful still.
Since they'd never met before,
they're sure
that there'd been nothing between them.
But what's the word from the streets, staircases, hallways --
perhaps they've passed each other a million times?
that there'd been nothing between them.
But what's the word from the streets, staircases, hallways --
perhaps they've passed each other a million times?
I want to ask them
if they don't remember --
a moment face to face
in some revolving door?
perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd?
a curt "wrong number" caught in the receiver?
but I know the answer.
No, they don't remember
They'd be amazed to hear
that Chance has been toying with them
now for years.
if they don't remember --
a moment face to face
in some revolving door?
perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd?
a curt "wrong number" caught in the receiver?
but I know the answer.
No, they don't remember
They'd be amazed to hear
that Chance has been toying with them
now for years.
Not quite ready yet
to become their Destiny,
it pushed them close, drove them apart,
it barred their path,
stifling a laugh,
and then leaped aside.
to become their Destiny,
it pushed them close, drove them apart,
it barred their path,
stifling a laugh,
and then leaped aside.
There were signs and
signals,
even if they couldn't read them yet.
Perhaps three years ago
or just last Tuesday
a certain leaf fluttered
from one shoulder to another?
Something was dropped and then picked up.
Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished
into childhood's thicket?
even if they couldn't read them yet.
Perhaps three years ago
or just last Tuesday
a certain leaf fluttered
from one shoulder to another?
Something was dropped and then picked up.
Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished
into childhood's thicket?
There were doorknobs and
doorbells
where one touch had covered another
beforehand.
Suitcases checked and standing side by side.
One night, perhaps, the same dream,
grown hazy by morning.
where one touch had covered another
beforehand.
Suitcases checked and standing side by side.
One night, perhaps, the same dream,
grown hazy by morning.
Every beginning
is only a sequel, after all,
and the book of events
is always open halfway through.
is only a sequel, after all,
and the book of events
is always open halfway through.
~ Wislawa Szymborska
~
(View with a Grain of Sand, translated
by Stanislaw Baranczak and Clare Cavanagh)
Commemoration
They made love among the
hazel shrubs
beneath the suns of dew,
entangling in their hair
a leafy residue.
beneath the suns of dew,
entangling in their hair
a leafy residue.
Heart of the swallow
have mercy on them.
have mercy on them.
They knelt down by the
lake,
combed out the earth and leaves,
and fish swam to the water's edge
shimmering like stars.
combed out the earth and leaves,
and fish swam to the water's edge
shimmering like stars.
Heart of the swallow
have mercy on them.
have mercy on them.
The reflections of trees
were steaming
off the rippling waves.
O swallow let this memory
forever be engraved.
off the rippling waves.
O swallow let this memory
forever be engraved.
O swallow, thorn of
clouds,
anchor of the air,
Icarus improved,
Assumption in formal wear,
anchor of the air,
Icarus improved,
Assumption in formal wear,
O swallow, the
calligrapher,
timeless second hand,
early ornithogothic,
a crossed eye in the sky,
timeless second hand,
early ornithogothic,
a crossed eye in the sky,
O swallow, pointed
silence,
mourning full of joy,
halo over lovers,
have mercy on them.
mourning full of joy,
halo over lovers,
have mercy on them.
~ Wislawa Szymborska ~
(translated by Joanna Trzeciak)
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