Separation Poem by Peter Mamara

Separation



by M. Eminescu (1850-1882)

My love, may I ask for a keepsake, so I won't forget you?
I might just ask for you, but you don't belong to yourself anymore.
My only plea is for you to forget me
Not the withered leaf in your blond hair.

The cruel feeling of my ended good fortune,
Why should not vanish also, instead of lingering on?
In the same way, where we hear the same stream,
Why is there such a relentless uneasiness?

When was it written for us to go through this world,
Like the dream of a shadow, and like the shadow of a dream?
From now on, why should you care about me?
What for should you count the years, for a dead fly?

If I die now or tomorrow, it is the same.
When do I want to erase my imprints I've done on everyone's mind?
When do I want you to forget the luck, about which we both dreamed?
Wake up my love, because you're young in years.

The shade might be thick where you might've perished, or
Like, we might've never found each other,
Or like the joyous years of desire might've been for nothing.
Could you also forgive me, that I loved you so much?

Let me stay with my face to the wall, among strangers.
So the vision of my eye shall freeze beneath my eyelids.
And when the dust shall return to dust,
Who could then know where I am from or who am I?

Mourning songs passing through the cold walls
Could beg for me, my everlasting peace.
But I would like someone to come close to me
And tell me your name over the closed lids of my eyes.
And then— if they want— could throw me at the side of the road.

It will be much better than now for me.
A flight of ravens may come from the far horizon
And may darken the whole sky over my sightless eyes.
A wind gale may come from some corners of the earth,
And offer dust to dust, and my soul: to the wind…

However dear, be prosperous like the middle of spring,
With your large and moist eyes, with a child's smile…
As long as you are young, you may get younger forever
And since I don't even know myself: you should forget about me.

(1879 October 1)

Translated by

Sunday, March 26, 2017
Topic(s) of this poem: poem
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