Three Variations

I

Especially from up high, the eye adores
This city, from a distance, in the evening
And life is wonderful again, - although, of course,
The last few times have proved to be deceiving.
Have I gone mad or is this love? I cannot say…
No matter what it is, this time I’m certain
That not a thing will change from day to day,
And every time I pull aside the curtains,
I feel convinced that I will recognize
The scenery unchanged. To put it loosely,
I will not miss much if I close my eyes,
As one might do when listening to music…

II

Especially from up high, the eye adores
This city, from a distance, in the evening…
I lay beside you and I hear your breathing,
I watch you sleeping and I’m short of words.
Have I gone mad or is this love? I cannot say…
No matter what it is, this time I’m certain
That any choice I make is inadvertent.
I know that life is predetermined in some way.
I feel convinced that I will recognize
The scenery unchanged. To put it loosely,
Somehow I know that I will never lose you
As we awake and watch the sun arise.


III

I watch you sleeping and I’m short of words.
I lay beside you and I hear your breathing,
And life is wonderful again, - although, of course,
The last few times have proved to be deceiving.
I know that life is predetermined in some way,
That any choice I make is inadvertent,
That not a thing will change from day to day,
And every time I pull aside the curtains
As we awake and watch the sun arise,
Somehow, I know that I will never lose you;
I will not miss much if I close my eyes,
As one might do when listening to music…