*
Give me a blue ribbon – I’ll return it
Without delay . . .
Or give me the shadow of your supple neck:
– No! Not the shadow, nay.
**
The shadow will shudder, when you beckon me,
For it doesn’t lie!
I want nothing from you, young lady of charm,
I withdraw my arm . . .
***
God used to grant me
Much smaller things:
A fallen leaf stuck to a windowpane,
A drop of rain.