9

When I go alone at night to my love-tryst, birds do not sing, the wind does not stir, the houses on both sides of the street stand silent.

It is my own anklets that grow loud at every step and I am ashamed.

When I sit on my balcony and listen for his footsteps, leaves do not rustle on the trees, and the water is still in the river like the sword on the knees of a sentry fallen asleep.

當我在夜里獨赴愛的幽會的時候，鳥兒不語，風兒不吹，街道兩旁的房屋靜默地站立著。

是我自己的腳鐲越走越響讓我羞愧。

當我坐在陽臺上傾聽他的腳步聲時，樹葉不響，河水寂靜得像熟睡的哨兵膝上的刀劍。

It is my own heart that beats wildly—I do not know how to quiet it.

When my love comes and sits by my side, when my body trembles and my eyelids droop, the night darkens, the wind blows out the lamp, and the clouds draw veils over the stars.

It is the jewel at my own breast that shines and gives light. I do not know how to hide it.

是我自己的心臟在狂跳——我不知道如何使它安靜。

當我的愛人來了并且坐在我身邊，當我的身軀顫抖，眼睫下垂，夜更深了，風吹燈滅，云片在繁星上曳過輕紗。

是我自己胸前的珠寶放出光明。我不知道怎樣把它藏起。