Ion Pop (1941)

Romania

România

Image © Ion Cucu

The Elder Flower

Talking on and on about fundamental things,

deafened by the clangor of essences,

I almost forgot the elder flower

which in pure generosity sends a humble perfume

through my open window.

And yet I rely on it most of all.

When upon this stone

these pale inscriptions will have become illegible,

some diligent paleographer, in those future days,

will read them just by breathing.

He will date them effortlessly, by fragrance.

translated by

Adam J. Sorkin with Liviu Bleoca

@ Adam J. Sorkin

Floarea de soc

Tot vorbind despre lucruri fundamentale,

asurzit de vacarmul esenţelor,

era să uit tocmai floarea de soc

ce-mi trimite-n fereastra deschisă

generoasă, umilu-i parfum.

Şi totuşi, pe ea mă bizui.

Când ilizibile pe piatra lor

vor deveni aceste pale scrisuri,

vreun harnic, de pe-atunci, paleograf

le va putea citi uşor, doar respirând.

Le va data uşor, după mireasmă.

(From „Soarele şi uitarea” published by Dacia Publishing House, 1985)

@ Ion Pop