A Dedication to My Wife

To whom I owe the leaping delight 

That quickens my senses in our waking time 

And the rhythm that governs the repose of our sleeping time, 

the breathing in unison.

Of lovers whose bodies smell of each other 

Who think the same thoughts without need of speech, 

And babble the same speech without need of meaning...

No peevish winter wind shall chill 

No sullen tropic sun shall wither 

The roses in the rose-garden which is ours and ours only

But this dedication is for others to read: 

These are private words addressed to you in public.

 

你让我的欢乐狂奔疾驰， 

在我们苏醒时激荡我的感知， 

你的节奏掌控我们睡梦的休憩， 

我们是一对爱人，同呼吸共生死。

我俩的体气相混难分彼此， 

无需开口就想着一样的心思， 

不用含意却絮叨相同的言词。

不畏严冬寒风的鞭笞， 

何惧酷暑骄阳的烤炙， 

我们共有花园，玫瑰绽放永生永世。

这题献是为别人阅读的文字， 

也是公开对你诉说的隐私。