I hear sighs in zephyr breezes



Melancholy hours

The fotunate ones profane nature.
Earth is a sanctuary of sorrow.
Dawn drops a tear of unknown pain;
the wan orphan evenings mourn
and the select soul intones sadly.

I hear sighs in zephyr breezes.
I see sadness on the violets.
I feel the painful life of the rose;
the meadows alive with mysterious sorrow;
and within the dense forest echoes a sob.

People honor the fortunate ones
and poetasters sing hymns to them.
But Nature's portals are closed
to all those who indifferently, callously deride,
aliens who deride in a unfortunate land.

Kafavis in: The complete poems of Cafafy, translated by Rae Dalven 1976