Love at First Sight—Wislawa Szymborska

 

一见钟情——维斯拉瓦·辛波丝卡

 

They're both convinced that a sudden passion joined them.

 

他们彼此深信是瞬间迸发的热情让他们相遇

such certainty is more beautiful,

这样的确定是美丽的

but uncertainty is more beautiful still.

但变幻无常更为美丽

since they'd never met before, they're sure that there'd been nothing between them.

他们素未谋面所以他们确定彼此并无任何瓜葛

but what's the word from the streets, staircases, hallways

但是自街道、楼梯、大堂传来的话语

perhaps they've passed by each other a million times?

他们也许擦肩而过100万次了吧

i want to ask them if they don't remember a moment face to face in some revolving door?

我想问他们是否记得在旋转门面对面那一刹

perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd?

或是在人群中喃喃道出的对不起

a curt "wrong number"caught in the receiver?

或是在电话的另一端道出的打错了

but i know the answer.

但是我早知道答案

no, they don't remember.

是的，他们并不记得

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

他们会很讶异原来缘分已经戏弄他们多年

not quite ready yet to become their destiny,

时机尚未成熟变成他们的命运

it pushed them close, drove them apart,

缘分将他们推进

it barred their path,

距离阻挡他们的去路

stifling a laugh,

忍住笑声

and then leaped aside.

然后闪到一旁

there were signs and signals,

有一些迹象和信号存在

even if they couldn't read them yet.

即使他们尚无法解读

perhaps three years ago or just last tuesday

也许在三年前或者就在上个星期二

a certain leaf fluttered from one shoulder to another?

有某片叶子飘舞于肩与肩之间？

something was dropped and then picked up.

有东西掉了又捡了起来？

who knows, maybe the ball that vanished into childhood's thicket?

天晓得，也许是那个消失于童年灌木丛中的球？

there were doorknobs and doorbells where one touch had covered another beforehand.

还有事前已被触摸层层覆盖的门把和门铃

suitcases checked and standing side by side.

检查完毕后并排放置的手提箱

one night. perhaps, the same dream,

有一晚，也许同样的梦，

grown hazy by morning.

到了早晨变得模糊。

every beginning is only a sequel, after all,

每个开始 毕竟都只是续篇，

and the book of events is always open halfway through.

而充满情节的书总是从一半开始看起