As A Memory pg. 20 (Zofia Krzyrzawska)

As A Memory

As many times in your life

As you have plucked a proud, beautiful flower

That many times, remember

Your lover’s tender[1] years

            I’m not seeking praises for mentioning the flower

            To ask you for friendship is my entire goal

            I sketch the latest in couplets[2] in my diary

            Like a swarm[3] of bees I feel feelings without end

I would like to write this whole diary [full]

But already it’s superfluous where[4] I stop

            And I just hold my breath[5] that it might come true

            That my desires might soon[6] be fulfilled

Zofia Krzyrzawska[7]!

Oh, if only you might have willing[8] love for me

Then you would give yourself [to me] to be kissed

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[1] Literally “young”

[2] Literally “pairs”

[3] Literally “hive”

[4] Literally “when”

[5] Literally “inhale”

[6] Literally “quickly”

[7] Perhaps the author of the above poem, or the subject of the following poem.

[8] Literally “consenting,” “agreeing”