Black roses - Ernst Josephson

Tell me, why are you so sad today?
You have always been so merry and gay!

You Have to Fear the Rose - Rafal Wojaczek

You have to fear the rose; it is the mouth
of the wound that bleeds continually inside you.

The Coronation - John O’Donohue

It was a long time ago in another land.
Who could tell how it really was before belief
Came towards you with a hunger that could not see you
Except against white air cleansed of the shadow of earth?

A path in the woods - Anna Kamienska

I don’t trust the truth of memories
because what leaves us
departs forever

Melody - Rabbe Enckell

A bird’s warble flies
like a swivel-bait cast over waves.

The Lover - Solveig von Schoultz

My eyes want to kiss your face.
I have no power over my eyes.

La Chanson du Mal-Aimé - Guillaume Apollinaire

To Paul Léautaud
I was singing this refrain
in nineteen three, not knowing my
love and phoenix were the same,
and if they fled the evening sky
they were reborn when morning came.

One night of London fog and flame
a ne'er do well resembling my
love was passing: up he came
and showed me such a knowing eye
it made me lower mine in shame.

Those Who Carry - Anna Kamienska

Those who carry pianos
to the tenth floor wardrobes and coffins

Prague: The Golden City - Michel Galiana

Songs of gold, songs of blood used to lull your children:
A captive with his lute overpowered a fortress,
A man ever fighting in spite of his blindness,
A prophet whose cause was pleaded by martyrdom.

Growth - Nora May French

I twine you, little trellis, close and fond,
       And swing in wistful threads above, beyond,
For air and space to bloom. Be it so.
Ah me!  I love you, but the plant must grow.