Entry for September 10, 2008

MORE STRONG THAN TIME

by Victor Hugo

Since I have set my lips to your full cup, my sweet,
Since I my pallid face between your hands have laid,
Since I have known your soul, and all the bloom of it,
And all the perfume rare, now buried in the shade;

Since it was given to me to hear one happy while,
The words wherein your heart spoke all its mysteries,
Since I have seen you weep, and since I have seen you smile,
Your lips upon my lips, and your eyes upon my eyes;

Since I have known above my forehead glance and gleam,
A ray, a single ray, of your star, veiled always,
Since I have felt the fall, upon my lifetime’s stream,
Of one rose petal plucked from the roses of your days;

I now am bold to say to the swift changing hours,
Pass, pass upon your way, for I grow never old,
Fleet to the dark abysm with all your fading flowers,
One rose that none may pluck, within my heart I hold.

Your flying wings may smite, but they can never spill
The cup fulfilled of love, from which my lips are wet;
My heart has far more fire than you have frost to chill,
My soul more love than you can make my soul forget.

So often people say they found their lover in their friend. I just have to wonder if they’ve found a means to fit their end. I thought I knew you for so long, but now I’ve come to see That this man is a stranger, and you don’t remember me. For the first time in my life I wanted someone I could keep- To treasure me both heart and soul, to hold me in my sleep. When I saw you I was overjoyed, my search at last concluded, Who knew that I would come to find that I was just deluded? Because as we grew together something still kept us apart, I have your body and your mind, but I’ll never have your heart. And I still wish that we could have that true love and forever, But reality stole my happy ending, leaving me with never. And if you asked, what would I say? Would I dare to throw it all away? Would yes be right? Or is it no? But we never ask, so on we go. And still I know that in the end, You’re not my lover but my friend. This is the truth that I despise When I suddenly realize: We’re not in love.