Forgive me that I opened your door silently,
without knocking entered your fate,
that I lit the fire but then turned cool,
that I searched but did not find.
Forgive me that I trusted, did not know shame,
that I charmed you with my boldness.
Forgive me that I became now and forever
an indelible scar on your soul.
Forgive me for laughter, forgive me for tears,
forgive me for sincerity that you didn’t accept.
Forgive me, my dear, for rosy dreams,
for your never understanding me.
Forgive everything in the present,
forgive everything in the past
which by chance followed on your heels,
for my once opening your door,
well, now I’ll slam it behind me.
Translated by Richard McKane