Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Fragrance of a rose

















Tremulous light, the smell of vineyards, the rustic flute
of an ardent nightingale that moans and thinks no more.
Chaste amidst the trees like a virgin fast asleep, 
a row of wheat waving on the hilltop.

Night’s pure bird that makes stars shudder 
with its echoing soul full of plaintive sighs: 
withered roses pave pale carpets 
where the roving light of thought is lost.

Near a star that sheds tears, the fragrance of a rose 
silent and timid, beneath a sky far too pure. 
These azure tears granted you more sweet-scented aroma, 
oh chaste sober sadness of the reclusive soul!

And, while upon the breast of every newborn Spring 
your weeping will live forever, pure bird of night, 
my sigh will perish unnoted, as it falters 
beside the fountainhead of your sweet scent, oh frail rose!

Marià Manent 
(Barcelona, 1898 - 1988)




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