Koun

SOUVENIR

 

All day long I've thought of you Cecile!

Because today was your birthday.

A day you have celebrated in Heaven for a long time,

Struck down in the middle of your youth

By a merciless disease.

…………………………………………..

I haven't forgotten you,

You, my comrade in First Communion,

And my girlhood friend.

…………………………………………..

Yet only a few things Remain with me

As a testimony to our affection:

A faded photograph,

And a small white lilac bush

That you gave to me, in secret,

From your parents' flower-garden.

…………………………………………..

The lilac hasn't blossomed much (it's in a windy spot),

But I've never dreamt of

Changing its place,

For fear it might die,

And nothing more would remain

With me

Of what had been yours.

 

March 1962.