XVII (I do not love you...)

Folder: 
Friendship

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,

or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.

I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,

in secret, between the shadow and the soul.



I love you as the plant that never blooms

but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;

thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,

risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.



I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.

I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;

so I love you because I know no other way



than this: where I does not exist, nor you,

so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,

so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.





Translated by Stephen Tapscott



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Author's Notes/Comments: 

Dedicated to you...

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Afzal Shauq's picture

good.. i am happy to see your new poems..its really impressive and seems to be a personal issue.. any way the poem is impressive one. hope you like my new poems too..I added few days back