Coffee shop/ translated by Avshalom Guissin
Coffee shop, on my own, and a pendulum gaslight,
in the ashes the embers of shooting stars die.
And how strange! – often times here on some of those late nights,
even I remain sitting, so quiet and shy.
​
An oriental tune trilled in outstretching pleasure,
with billowing smoke like a cat’s grey tail.
Oh but that you were here, sat before me for measure!
Who will hush up and hear out my tale?
​
So it was, and so always – the drinking house darkness,
and a wandering look that returns to one's own.
She came in and sat down (yet to make his acquaintance)
The young shepherd of Solomon's Song.
​
She was here, and she was, and so unlike yours truly
she was beautiful, very much so.
Like the blade of a spear she was shining so purely
with a tearful and quiet soft glow.
​
Coffee shop, on my own, and a pendulum gaslight,
in the ashes the embers of shooting stars die.
And how strange! – often times here on some of those late nights,
even I remain sitting, so quiet and shy.
​
An oriental tune trilled in outstretching pleasure,
with billowing smoke like a cat’s grey tail.
Oh but that you were here, sat before me for measure!
Who will hush up and hear out my tale?
​
So it was, and so always – the drinking house darkness,
and a wandering look that returns to one's own.
She came in and sat down (yet to make his acquaintance)
The young shepherd of Solomon's Song.
​
She was here, and she was, and so unlike yours truly
she was beautiful, very much so.
Like the blade of a spear she was shining so purely
with a tearful and quiet soft glow.