Verses by Vasile Alecsandri, translated by Julia Kalman
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Imagine
When the joyous Hirondelle came into the world,
No creature had wings or form so sweet, unfurled.
Born of wedded bliss, a darling of delight,
A child so precious, an emperor’s delight.
A beautiful marvel, smiling and rare,
Sent among mortals, like the sun’s warm glare.
A delicate treasure, woven from the serene,
From rays, from perfumes, from lily’s white sheen.
Her tender mother feared, with gaze full of care,
She’d vanish in the air, transformed into a star.
A fairy descended from the celestial sphere,
To enchant, nurture, and hold her dear.
Bestow sweet charm, adornments, treasures grand,
Guard her from life’s bitterness, oh so grand.
A basin was given, with endless water’s flow,
Untouched by rain, unseen by the sun’s bright glow.
In the fragrant warmth, with wood’s sweet embrace,
A reed, a beehive, and a peony’s grace.
Whispering gently, the fairy would decree,
“Grow tall, be graceful, like the green reed be,
Speak honeyed words, be enchanting, oh dear,
As the proud peony, your beauty appear.”
Then a dress of pure radiance was brought near,
Woven from living rays, with stars sparkling clear,
The fairy said, “Wear it, never take it off,
In the world’s beauty, let yourself take off,
For the wanderer of fields, on its verdant ride,
Will bloom your dress, where sheep and lambs abide.”
The Enchanted Child
The enchanted child, under the fairy’s spell,
Grew in a day what others would in a month tell.
Her arms, her tiny feet, moved like wings,
And when she left the nest where joy springs,
Her lively shadow, under the clear sky,
Measured itself against a lily nearby.
The little one loved chasing away hirondelles,
Gliding through the air, where elder trees tell,
Trying to capture rays in the grassy glade,
Running along the riverside, in the water’s cascade,
Awestruck and delighted, she’d stand alone,
Captivated by nature’s sweet harmonious tone.
Then, a whispering voice, like a flying sprite,
Stole her attention, filled with longing and light,
“You’re so beautiful, in form and in grace,
You illuminate the night, warm winter’s embrace,
To the blind, you give eyes to admire,
To the departed, sweet words to inspire.
Ah, your long black hair, like the raven’s wing,
In its darkness, a thousand nights it could bring.
Your face, a theft from the day’s pure light,
Could make a thousand days, so bright.
Oh, your rounded lips, with laughter adorned,
Like two cherries in the sunlight mourned,
And your waist, a bee’s dance under a golden veil,
Swaying through the air like a green laurel trail,
And your eyes, little stars with mysterious gleams,
Reflecting the passion of celestial dreams,
That you ignited in hearts when you first appeared,
You, a nameless miracle, a fairy revered!”
The enchanted child listened with a smile so bright,
Then, looking back, she fled, a white butterfly in flight,
A flying princess, chased by fluttering butterflies,
Forming a winged crown upon her forehead’s rise.
Dream On
Dream, moon in the sky! Under the dreamy moon,
Flowers, waters, nests, hearts dream in tune.
Not a leaf stirs, not a breeze is near,
To disturb the sweet mysteries of the night’s sheer.
The bee sleeps hidden in the dormant poppy,
The heron amidst the lilies, still and soppy,
And the silvery ray, detached from stars above,
Falling, a long arrow, through the secret grove,
Goes to ignite quivering, golden shimmers,
In the white strings of shimmering dewy glimmers.
But who now, like the ray, soars through the night?
What shadow, with timidity, creeps through the light?
Approaching the stream in the valley’s expanse,
Pausing often in its journey, in a careful dance,
It reaches the water, lovingly gazing at the scene,
And, alone in the coolness, prepares for a bath so serene.
Oh, divine enchantment, a sight so rare,
Her dress slips away, dissolving in the air,
And before the fact of day, flowers sprout,
Jewels of spring: Swallowtails, without a doubt!
Please, clap, engage, and… stay tuned for the next story…! But, most importantly, a profound thank you to each one of you. Your unwavering support has been invaluable.
Julia Kalman 