Lament Of A Young Widow Poem by Abraham Sutzkever

Since you are not in my arms, I do not need the stars.
I live on the sad earth with two souls.

Our child did not have time to sing: mama,
Remained half in you, half in me. Forever!

My dear, like the sun in the sea
The world shrank. And only my love
Grows in the smallness.

They say: I am beautiful. Had you said: ugly,
I would have liked it better than beautiful.

While eating corn, I think:
Your lips.

The stormy red ox reminds me
Of your virility.

In lion's roar I feel
Your mighty passions.

Since you are not in my arms, I do not need the stars.