Жемчужница и песчинка

Love Songs

«Love me tender, love me sweet», —

Chirps the golden parrakeet;

«Love me little, love me long», —

Warns the wise precautious song.

I don't care a hair for these,

I have never prayed for peace.

I will sing another song:

Love me short but love me strong.

Two Prayers

* * *

Oh boy, why treat me like a saint?

Release me of your pious love;

My manners are by no means quaint;

I do not beam from high above,

I cannot dance upon my toes,

I cannot play the harp or fute,

I do not pardon all my foes,

My tune is shameless and acute;

No angel dwells in my brave soul:

He’d be afraid of eagles nest,

Afraid to touch my anger’s bowl,

Or dare touch me while I rest.

Ambitious, arrogant, and stern,

I never laugh when I am glad,

I never cry when I am sad,

I laugh and cry to gain concern.

Oh boy, I’ve never loved a man

For more than two years and a half;

Like treacherous Mab, I always plan

The ending act, the bitter laugh,

The parting scene, the painful moarn,

The heartquake, earthquake, skyquake roar,

The tears unshed, the words unborn,

The curse unbreathed, the slamming door…

Oh Gods, ye sacred and ye great!

Oh Cyprid sweet in pearly shell!

Do teach this boy to separate

Wise mortal woman from yourself!

Break down the apparition wraught,

Don’t make me go through inward change!

Just leave me to my happy lot:

To choose, or drop, or to revenge.

Child, do not treat me like I be

The Highest Being shaping lives!

Oh boy, and don’t you realize

That you’re thus shaping slave of me?

My faithful youth, I feel like caught

In silken net by gentle hand;

For human can betray his God,

And God just can’t betray his man.

* * *

How overwhelming, strange, and plain!

My loyal Knight has fallen in Love.

Who could believe I’d feel the pain

When he embraced that gentle dove?

When he pursued that cunning nude,

Who could believe I would be hurt?.

I do not play the harp or fute,

So let my violin now be heard.

And every soul that knows me well,

Knows well the passion of my will!

Same tune Orpheus played in hell

Descending down Elysium hill.

Ambitious, arrogant, and blind,

How dare you come before my eyes?

Just spare me of your sharp replies;

I dwell the world you’ve left behind.

Take your Martini and cigar,

Keep your guitar and hold your sword.