these soundless words that I whisper get lost somewhere
after having abruptly encountered them
for you they will become painfully clear
and you think - my god - he has professed his love
and so begged to spend the night if only sitting beside you

he didn't believe in words did not command them he was afraid
that words were too light in this fleeting and frightening world
he whispered them like smoke
like smoke along with your eyes
and who knows why they didn't become harsh and sting
Translation: 2004, Olena Jennings