Love at First Sight
by Wislawa Szymborska

they are both convinced
that a sudden passion joined them.
Such certainty is beautiful,
but uncertainty is more beautiful still
Since they'd never met before, they're sure
that there'd been nothing between them.
But what's the word from the streets, staircases, hallways—
perhaps they've passed each other a million times?

I want to ask them
if they don't remember—
a moment face to face
in some revolving door?
perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd?
a curt "wrong number" caught in the receiver?
but I know the answer.
No, they don't remember

They'd be amazed to hear
that Chance has been toying with them
now for years.

Not quite ready yet
to become their Destiny,
it pushed them close, drove them apart,
it barred their path,
stifling a laugh,
and then leaped aside.

There were signs and signals,
even if they couldn't read them yet.
Perhaps three years ago
or just last Tuesday
a certain leaf fluttered
from one shoulder to another?
Something was dropped and then picked up.
Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished
into childhood's thicket?

There were doorknobs and doorbells
where one touch had covered another
beforehand.
Suitcases checked and standing side by side.
One night, perhaps, the same dream,
grown hazy by morning.

Every beginning
is only a sequel, after all,
and the book of events
is always open halfway through

一见钟情
辛波丝卡

他们彼此深信
是瞬间迸发的热情让他们相遇
这样的确定是美丽的
但变幻无常更为美丽

他们素未谋面
所以他们确定彼此并无任何瓜葛
但是听听自街道、楼梯、走廊传出的话语——
他俩或许擦肩而过一百万次了吧？

我想问他们
是否记不得了——
在旋转门
面对面那一刻？
或者在人群中喃喃说出的「对不起」？
或者在听筒截获的唐突的「打错了」？
然而我早知他们的答案。
是的，他们记不得了。

他们会感到诧异，倘若得知
缘分已玩弄他们
多年。

时机尚未成熟
成为他们命运的准备，
缘分将他们推近，驱离，
忍住笑声
阻挡他们的去路，
然后闪到一边。

有一些迹象和信号存在，
即使他们尚无法解读。
也许在三年前
或者就在上个星期二
有某片叶子飘舞于
肩与肩之间？
有东西掉了又捡了起来？
天晓得，也许是那个
消失于童年灌木丛中的球？

还有事前已被触摸
层层覆盖的
门把和门铃。
检查完毕后并排放置的手提箱。
有一晚，也许同样的梦，
到了早晨变得模糊。

每个开始
毕竟都只是续篇，
而充满情节的书本
总是从一半开始看起