Trinity Journal of Literary Translation
Online: To Rika
Seated in an express train, which then passed, My train, and with full speed going faster
The acquaintance could not be more curtailed Yet still, it lasted long enough, for me To continue on this endless life path
With a faded smile. Ah! Since I saw thee
Not one little smile was filled with such glee Also, why do you have such fair blonde hair
Which bears the resemblance of angels? And then Why those blue eyes, wonderfully deep and clear? You sure knew, that I could not withstand them! Why then did your train race past myself, And not if a flash pushes the carriage,
And our mouths and lips are met in marriage? Perhaps you feared a railroad tragedy?
But, RIKA, what could be more delicious, Than, under clamour and calamity,
To be crushed with you under a carriage?
57
trans. Sherence De Jongh
Only one time have I seen you. You were
And around my neck your arms are held,
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