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.

Carmen Dumitru

Carol Rumens
 

Raul limpede

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


Nu ne vom intalni aici, ci acolo doar,
Trecand de pod, mimand nerusinarea,
Acolo, unde raul isi curge norul clar.

Manile ni se-ating usor, calator grabit, incotro oare?
Si-apoi s-a facut noapte s-Italia si-apasarea
Cuvintelor nemaiintalnita: acolo te-am intalnit.

Vocile nu se repeta. Acea pe care urechea
O pretuieste, dispare. Dar, cand vom inceta aflarea
Versului, raul il va canta, soapta fie-i clara.

N-am fost niciodata genul expresiv; am murmurat ‘Draga’
Ca scrisorile, rece, rapind a sa tendresse –
Nici n-o vei spune deodata cand te voi vedea acolo

Dar vei fi aproape precum a mea carte, perna, aproape
Precum mintea mea. Fata-n fata era digresiunea,
Acolo langa rau, nourat si-nspumat,

Dar acum ochii tai-i folosesc pe-ai mei, cred ca-mi auzi
Inima cum iti calauzesc sangele. Ce e mai important
Ca aici, unde nu ne-am intalnit niciodata? Am sa te-ntalnesc acolo,
Acolo, oh cartea mea de rauri, ce curge lin.