Songs of Love and Life

One morning in the flower garden 
a blind girl came to offer me 
a flower chain in the cover of a lotus leaf.

I put it round my neck, 
and tears came to my eyes.

I kissed her and said, 
"You are blind even as the flowers are.

"You yourself know not how beautiful is your gift."

It was in May.  The sultry noon seemed endlessly long.
The dry earth gaped with thirst in the heat.

When I heard from the riverside a voice calling, "Come, my darling!"

I shut my book and opened the window to look out.

I saw a big buffalo with mud-stained hide, standing near the river 
with placid, patient eyes; and a youth, knee deep in water, 
calling it to its bath.

I smiled amused and felt a touch of sweetness in my heart.

In the dusky path of a dream I went to seek 
the love who was mine in a former life.

Her house stood at the end of a desolate street.
In the evening breeze her pet peacock sat drowsing on its perch,
and the pigeons were silent in their corner.

She set her lamp down by the portal and stood before me.
She raised her large eyes to my face 
and mutely asked, "Are you well, my friend?"
I tried to answer, but our language had been lost and forgotten.

I thought and thought; our names would not come to my mind.
Tears shone in her eyes.  She held up her right hand to me.  
I took it and stood silent.

Out lamp had flickered in the evening breeze and died.

Peace, my heart, 
let the time for the parting be sweet.
Let it not be a death 
but completeness.
Let love melt into memory 
and pain into songs.
Let the flight through the sky end 
in the folding of the wings over the nest.
Let the last touch of your hands be gentle 
like the flower of the night.
Stand still, O Beautiful End, 
for a moment, 
and say your last words in silence.
I bow to you 
and hold up my lamp 
to light you on your way.

Free me from the bonds of your sweetness, my love! 
No more of this wine of kisses.
This mist of heavy incense stifles my heart.
Open the doors, make room for the morning light.
I am lost in you,
wrapped in the folds of your caresses.
Free me from your spells, 
and give me back the manhood 
to offer you my freed heart.