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