CAROL RUMENS

The Clear River

   ‘La speranza di pure revederti
M’abbandonova.’
                          Motetti, Montale

Here, we will never meet, but I’ll meet you there,
Beyond the bridge, pretending shamelessness,
There, where the clouded river again runs clear.

Your hand skimmed mine, quick migrant, passing where?
Then it was night and Italy and a press
Of words I had never met: I met you there.

Voices are not repeatable. That which the ear
Cherishes, vanishes. But, when we’ve ceased to guess
Its song, the river will sing, the line be clear.

We were never the eloquent kind; we muttered ‘Dear’
Like letters, formal, cheating its tendresse –
Nor will you say it once when I meet you there

But you will be near as my book, my pillow, near
As my mind. To face each other was to digress,
There by the river, clouded and unclear,

But now your eyes use mine, I believe you hear
My heart as it drives your blood. What matters less
Than here, where we’ve never met? I’ll meet you there,
There, oh my book of rivers, running clear.

Oana Cristina Andreoiu

Carol Rumens
 

Raul limpede

   ‘La speranza di pure revederti
M’abbandonova.’
                   Motetti, Montale


Aici n-o sa ne intalnim in veci, insa acolo sigur,
Dincolo de pod, prefacandu-ne ca un avem rusine.
Acolo unde raul nebulos curge iar limpede.

Mana a atins-o in treacat pe a mea, grabit nomad, incotro te indrepti?
Si-apoi doar intuneric, Italia, si-atatea
Cuvinte nerostite vreodata: asa ne-am intalnit.

Susurul e irepetabil. Ceea ce urechea
Pretuieste, se estompeaza. Insa atunci cand
Vom fi incetat sa-i ghicim
Cantecul, raul va canta, soapta ii va fi clara.

N-am fost nicicand tipul elocvent, ne sopteam “draga”
Ca in scrisori, formal, inselandu-i sensibilitatea-
Si nici un vei vorbi altfel cand o sa ne intalnim acolo.
Insa imi vei fi asemeni cartii, si pernei
Si constiintei mele, apropiat. Sa ne intalnim era o digresiune
Acolo langa raul tulbure, neclar.

Insa acum ochii tai vad prin ai mei, cred ca auzi
Inima cum iti calauzeste sangele. Ce e mai putin important
Decat aici, unde nicicand nu ne-am vazut? Ne intalnim acolo,
Acolo, tu, carte de rauri limpede curgand.