ALEXANDRA LEAVING

after“The God Abandons Anthony,”by C. Cavafy

Suddenly the night has grown colder.

Some deity preparing to depart.

Alexandra hoisted on his shoulder,

they slip between the sentries of your heart.

 

Upheld by the simplicities of pleasure,

they gain the light, they formlessly entwine;

and radiant beyond your widest measure

they fall among the voices and the wine.

 

It's not a trick, your senses all deceiving,

a fitful dream the morning will exhaust -

Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving.

Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost.

 

Even though she sleeps upon your satin.

Even though she wakes you with a kiss.

Do not say the moment was imagined.

Do not stoop to strategies like this.

 

As someone long prepared for this to happen,

Go firmly to the window. Drink it in.

Exquisite music. Alexandra laughing.

Your first commitments tangible again.

 

You who had the honour of her evening,

And by that honour had your own restored -

Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving.

Alexandra leaving with her lord.

 

As someone long prepared for the occasion;

In full command of every plan you wrecked -

Do not choose a coward's explanation

that hides behind the cause and the effect.

You who were bewildered by a meaning,

whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed -

Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving.

Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost.

- Hydra, Greece, September 1999

这些肖像与我的实际情况相差甚远

比如说：我已经放弃了王位，

无论是世俗的还是精神的

尽管在这一页

我看上去还是对

这样那样的事

深感兴趣

这只是一种

旧的

习惯表情

 

2003年9月2日