(Sous le pont Mirabeau)

Autumn’s yearly brilliance goes

As our loves go so our dreams,

As this river by this beach,

River weeping as it flows

*

As our dreams, so our loves go

Flows the river past this peak

Water’s silent violent speech

So goes our ancient sorrow

*

As our loves go so our dreams

Below the bridge to pass downstream

Must I still remember then

When love has gone and I remain?

*

If love is gone but life remains

And I am left still standing here

And you are now so out of reach

And now I share the river’s tears

*

I cannot stay, I cannot, no!

I cannot keep this love alone!

I see your eyes in the mystery

Coursing slowly past this beach

*

Love runs away like water flows

How swift love flows, how slow life goes

I see your face just one instant, brief!

Your face in waters beyond reach;

*

It’s some mystery I don’t know

As our loves go so our dreams,

You blow a secret kiss to me

Mona Lisa of the stream.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To Appollinaire

(C)2000-2018 by W.G. Milne