On the lake, deep in the forest,
Yellow water lilies float;
Shuddered by some small round ripples
It shakes hastily a boat.
On its shores I'm walking slowly
Listening, hoping for the best,
Maybe she will show up laughing
And will fall upon my chest;
Come, let's jump, the boat is waiting
And when we're away from shores
I'll forget about the rudder
And I'll drop the heavy oars;
We shall sail along enchanted
Under the moon's silver eye –
In the reed, the wind will rustle
And the ripples then will sigh.
She's not coming... I am lonely
And in vain I groan and cry
Near the blue lake in the forest
On which water lilies lie.
Translator: Octavian Cocoş
see more poems written by: Mihai Eminescu
