IF ONLY I HAD THE IMMORTALS’ POTION

IF ONLY I HAD THE IMMORTALS’ POTION

 If only I had the immortals’ potion if only I had
A new soul to give you, if only yould wake for a moment,

To see and to speak and delight in the whole of your dream
Standing right there by your side, next to you, bursting with life.

Roadways and public places, balconies, lanes in an uproar,
young maidens are picking flowers to sprinkle on your hair.

My fragrant forest full of tens of thousands of roots and leaves,
how can I the ill-fated believe I can ever lose you?

My son, all things have vanished and abandoned me back here
I have no eyes and cannot see, no mouth to let me speak.

Yannis Ritsos

translated Amy Mims