Verses by Mihai Eminescu, translated by Julia Kalman
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Desire
In the secret courtyard’s hidden shade,
Lived a fluffy hen, by the rooster’s love swayed;
Not a cock in the coop, captivated so sweet,
Could match his bold pursuit, his passion’s heartbeat.
How the maiden moved, so coquettish and fair,
Painting stars in the sand with her feet in the air;
A virtuous hen, diligent in her quest,
Searching for barley and wheat, in her beak, the best.
Who could admire her charms so divine?
The blind bull, seeing half, with his straw as a sign;
In his virgin heart, a mysterious fire,
Ignited by her morning lyre, a sweet desire.
Wisdom Exchanged
She loses taste for food, digs with pity in her beak,
Seeking an image inthe earth, love’s dream to seek;
Wandering dreamily, in the moon’s soft gleam,
Chasing her luminous shadow, a melancholic theme.
An aged hen, a matron, avoided, long estranged,
Shares secrets with her, wisdom exchanged;
Finding solace in thoughts, away from the flock,
The old nun gossips, her sharp tongue does talk.
“Ah,” she says to the little one, “sparrows beware,
Peeking from nests, causing trouble in the air;
Kissing fiercely in the night, love’s wild spree,
Awakening life, poisoning with jealousy.
Virgin Dreams
Our fate is unfortunate,” she continues her scold,
“Harsh, cruel sparrows, awakening love bold;
Then poisoning with jealousy and malice,
Only flowers find joy in love’s sweet chalice.
The rooster, unfaithful, fickle, it’s true,
Thrusts love’s spear deep, a passionate view;
Transporting you to heavens, forgetting the earth,
Yet leaving you widowed, dying of hunger and dearth.
Better not to think, virgin in thought’s embrace,
Deceptive dreams of love, pleasures to chase;
To learn nature’s mysteries, bright paths in the sky,
Illuminating the future, as time passes by.
Love through the Ear
How wise are they, the stars in the night,
Beyond the fence, the rooster struts in delight;
The little one learns, beyond words, beyond song,
Listening to the rooster’s sweet serenade so strong.
“Love through the ear,” he says ironically,
The old one pinches, annoyed, with a decree;
She runs away, trembling, peeks through the fence,
At his pagan appearance, an encounter intense.
The old one crosses herself, frowning with disdain,
A hypocrite in darkness, causing trouble again;
Tripping over a chick, clumsy and fleet,
Protected by shadows, with a stern face, discreet.
Cock-a-doodle-doo
Where’s the learned one, with knowledge profound,
To compose a compendium, love’s sweetest sound?
A sound that stirs feelings in the bride so deep,
A cock-a-doodle-doo, both sweet and demonic, a secret to keep.
Heroic and proud, the rooster stands tall,
Different from the hen’s cluck, a distinct call;
His comb like a red Cossack hat, so grand,
Heated with desire, cold passing through like sand.
The old one’s maxims go in one ear, out the other,
As they entered the other, advising against love’s smother;
Teaching the little one of love’s elusive schemes,
To catch a rooster by the comb, beyond dreams.
Making Plans
Making plans, spinning around the yard,
Awakening joy from her thoughts, not barred;
To a clapper, the monk, a mournful figure,
Without crest, voice, or tail, a silent trigger.
Making an angelic bye!, she questions his kin,
Don Juan’s cousin, a smile under her skin;
The sinister monk responds tragically,
“Oh, Apollo, save me from such kin — dark beings, lyrically.
No, not related to Don Juan’s wild spree,
The priestess of the earthly deity, depriving me;
Of being a rooster, to smile at Plato’s ways,
With chaste gaze, seeing the prototype in life’s maze.
Oh, Gods!
Seeing the eternal mystery, I thank the thick priestess,
Dedicating my life to thought, my soul in distress;
May the gods rest my shadow when I’m gone,
Modern Pythagoras, in wisdom I’m drawn.”
Back in the cell, the little chick lost in thought,
Contemplating the rooster’s dignity, she sought;
“What lacks in Chirila, his fierce kin possess?
A question lingering, causing her distress.
Her heart beats faster, back to the fence she goes,
To gaze at the idol, his majestic pose;
The red crest, chest where the heart beats,
Wishing him as a companion, a youth to meet.
Fearing Disaster
Fear strikes, he sees her and greets,
Burning eyes, flattering words he repeats;
“No restriction,” he proclaims with glee,
Against opposition, elders’ decree.
Timid, obedient, with lowered eyes,
Blushing cheeks, the maiden sighs;
The old one appears, he sprints away,
Leaving the distressed maiden, alone to stay.
Fearing disaster, she returns to the cell,
To meet the monk, in wisdom to dwell;
“Dear brother, don’t mock,” she pleads,
“Why speak evil? What have I done, my needs?”
Love Spell
With a serious face, he begins to tell,
“Little sister, the love in your heart, oh so swell;
Leads you to places of harm and despair,
To the demon’s lair, a poisoned affair.
Avoid the demon, come pray with me,
For salvation, eternal rest, and clarity;
For the truth of life, mysteries to unveil,
For enlightenment, as the stars set sail.”
Trembling and thoughtful, the little one hears,
Sighs, groans, and finally, with tears;
“Brother, I fear, I don’t understand,
Your words, true or false, in this strange land.”
Eternal Love
“I assure you, it’s truth, eternal and clear,
Listen, little sister, lend me your ear;
The world’s a dark abyss, demons in disguise,
Temptations strive for our ruin, as time flies.
The rooster’s a deceiver, a cunning guise,
Pretending to be the sun, an angelic rise;
But in truth, a beast beneath the feathered shell,
Destroying innocence, virtue to quell.
Come, pray with me for salvation’s light,
To avoid the rooster’s tempting flight;
He’ll leave you in despair, darkness so deep,
Come, let us pray, eternal promises to keep.”
Blood, Sweat and Tears
The little one, tears streaming, in contemplation,
Faces the monk, a grave situation;
Imagines the rooster as a fiendish beast,
A monster devouring her innocence, the feast.
Decides to follow the monk’s wise advice,
Avoid the rooster’s seductive device;
Unaware of the drama, the rooster struts,
In the courtyard, proudly displaying his guts;
Crowing loudly, challenging the air,
Unaware of the turmoil, the maiden’s affair.
The old one observes, with a mocking smile,
Approaches the little one, a cunning wile;
Well, My Dear
“Well, my dear, learned your lesson well?
Beware the rooster’s charm, the tempting spell.”
The little one, heavy-hearted, replies,
“Yes, dear aunt, heard the monk’s cries;
Fear the rooster now, a demon in disguise,
Follow virtue, escape temptation’s lies.”
The old one laughs, scornful and cruel,
“Good, my child, wisdom’s sweetest jewel;
Avoid the rooster, a deceiver’s dance,
Leading to perdition, life’s dark chance.”
The little one, with a sigh, turns away,
Leaving behind the rooster’s display;
Salvation’s Art
Walking with the monk, seeking salvation’s art,
Leaving behind worldly temptations, to depart.
The rooster, unaware, continues to crow,
Proclaiming dominance with every throw;
But in the little one’s heart, a battle begins,
Between the rooster’s allure and monk’s teachings, sins.
In the covert courtyard, the drama unfurls,
Innocence, temptation, salvation twirls;
The rooster, the monk, and the little hen,
Caught in life’s eternal dance, again.
In the symphony of existence, a paradox spun,
A tale of the heart, where redemption is won.
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Julia Kalman 