A Half-hour
I never had you and no doubt I never
will. A few words, an approach
like at the bar two days ago – nothing more. For me,
I must admit, I’m sorry. But we others,
the Art’s adepts, by force of concentration, can create
fleetingly, sometimes, a pleasure
that impresses one by being almost concrete.
Thus, in the bar, two days ago, with alcohol
helping me greatly in its kindly fashion,
that half-hour was for me profoundly erotic.
It seemed to me you understood, and deliberately
you lingered just a little. Now, what was there
was something very necessary, for, with all
possible fantasy and the magic of alcohol,
I had to see your lips as well,
I had to have your body near.
Poems by C P Cavafy (1863-1933) appeared in MPT 13, where the translators – David Ricks, Avi Sharon and George Kalogeris – simply stated that he “needs no introduction”.
DM Black’s translations from Goethe appeared in MPT 13 and 16.
DM Black’s translations from Goethe appeared in MPT 13 and 16.
Translated by D. M. Black
Page(s) 27
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