Homage to Camoens 3

As I pass through the wind-bitten grove of sighs,
two Amors walk with me, on either side –
white Amor, on my right, shines with future dreams,
black Amor, on my left, darkens with past hurts.

Every woman I meet is overcast now by the one
Amor, now by the other: now she is resplendent,
gleaming with promise, and now dark, as if veiled
by wrongs that happened and by dead hopes.

I did not mind this game of light and shade,
but when I see you, I wish both Amors would go away,
I no more need their sun upon you than I need their night.

I long to see just you, unillumined and uneclipsed,
free from interference, even colourless,
for love must depart before love can exist.


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