He seems to me as happy as the gods,
This man, whoever he is, who sits beside you
Lapping up your words, your irresistible laugh.
But for me, each time I look at you,
A moment, for just a moment, my throat constricts
My voice, so thin, so tight.
all-limbloosening-throatconstricting-deep-earechoing-fullvoicestealing-firebreathing-icefreezing-soulshattering…
I do not know if it is the air or your gaze that makes me shake so much.
And it’s freezing but I’m sweating as I look at you
And me, as green as grass; paler than the palest grass…
And truly, I am close to death…
Still, even this can be borne…
Translation by Jane Montgomery Griffiths