THE SIREN

by: Gustavo Adolfo Becquer (1836-1870)

      momentary indiscretion,
      And the vision of your fluttering lids
      Is burned forever in my mind
      Like a dark spot, edged in fire,
      For staring at the sun.

      Now, wherever I look,
      I'm haunted by those flaring pupils,
      But it's only your afterimage, not you,
      Your sunspot eyes and nothing more.

      Alone in my room, I stare
      At the ceiling and try to forget,
      But even when I sleep, I feel your phantom gaze,
      Doe-eyed and fluttering.

      I know there are things in the night
      That call unwary dreamers to their doom.
      Still, I am drawn to you,
      To your eyes edged in fire,
      Though where they lead I do not know.

      --Translated by Walter Wykes

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