Nocturne
Shivering leaves and starry sky,
my love has left while here I sigh
with broken heart, and wave good-bye!
Oh breezes, swirl about his head,
Oh Nightingale, sing by his bed
and whisper gently I am dead!
From first night I saw him come,
my soul was his, and, stricken dumb,
laid pride aside as of no sum!
My eyes spoke volumes, I’ll admit,
I clung to him - things shook a bit, -
upon my hair his kiss was writ!
I shook, emotions all awry!
I know no longer how nor why
my lover he became, I sigh!
I knew him not, yet no protest
I uttered, took him to my breast
When in my rooms his love confessed!
I said to him, ‘Thy love I’ll take
while love it stays’- make no mistake,
none else my dreams so deep could slake.
His passion, though, no tardy guest
turned out to be, he left, his quest
led Lord know’s where, - I have not guessed!
I will now separated from my friend,
between the lily-pads descend
let life beneath the ripples end!
With words of willow, water, weeds,
I’ll plight my pain, - each hern that heeds
will know ‘tis I who spreads the reeds.
While waiting, to the breeze I’ll rhyme
his name, and dreaming-bells shall chime
I waited once upon a time!
As if in golden grave-cloth gowned,
untidy tresses spread around
me while I’m water-logged and bound.
Joys cast will cast their light and lie
around my head, harsh Time defy.
[...] Read more
poem by Charles Cros, translated by Jonathan Robin
Added by Poetry Lover
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