In my eyes he matches the gods, that man who
sits there facing you-any man whatever-
listen from close by to the sweetness of
your voice as you talk, the
sweetness of your laughter. Yes that-I swear it
sets the heart to shaking inside my breast
since once I look upon you for a moment
I can't speak any longer
but my tongue breaks down, and then all at once
subtle fire races within my skin my
eyes can't see a thing and a whirring whistle
Thrums in my heart
cold sweat covers me and a trembling takes
a hold on me all over. I'm greener than the
grass is and appear to myself to be little
short of dying
but all must be endured, since even a poor
girl such as I whose heart beats
only and forever for you and my eyes
weeping fearing that you will never be mine
crushes my soul
I listen for his footsteps, his voice, his laugh
and for his warm loving eyes only for me
his touch giving me a tremblng feeling
as though he already arouses me
and we are just one
but I wait in vain, the hourglasss empties
and the candle burns low, weeping
just like me - burnt out by my love
my tears running down my face
for I am in despair
then barely an hour later I hear a snort
of a horse, is it him at this late hour?
It is for he enters without knocking
and sees me naked waiting for him
joyously laughing
My thanks to Sappho for writing the first four verses
Image found at https://www.flickr.com.photos/lespetitescases/36832131852
