Love at First Sight
They're both convinced
that a sudden passion joined them.
Such certainty is beautiful,
but uncertainty is more beautiful still
Since they'd never met before, they're sure
that there'd been nothing between them.
But what's the word from the streets, staircases, hallways –
perhaps they've passed each other a million times?
I want to ask them
if they don't remember -
a moment face to face
in some revolving door?
perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd?
a curt "wrong number" caught in the receiver?
but I know the answer.
No, they don't remember
They'd be amazed to hear
that Chance has been toying with them
now for years.
Not quite ready yet
to become their Destiny,
it pushed them close, drove them apart,
it barred their path,
stifling a laugh,
and then leaped aside.
There were signs and signals,
even if they couldn't read them yet.
Perhaps three years ago
or just last Tuesday
a certain leaf fluttered
from one shoulder to another?
Something was dropped and then picked up.
Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished
into childhood's thicket?
There were doorknobs and doorbells
where one touch had covered another
beforehand.
Suitcases checked and standing side by side.
One night, perhaps, the same dream,
grown hazy by morning.
Every beginning
is only a sequel, after all,
and the book of events
is always open halfway through.
一見鍾情
兩人都相信
是一股突發的熱情讓他倆交會。
這樣的篤定是美麗的，
但變化無常更是美麗。
既然從未見過面，所以他們確定
彼此並無任何瓜葛。
但是聽聽自街道、樓梯、走廊傳出的話語 –
他倆或許擦肩而過一百萬次了吧？
我想問他們
是否記不得了 -
在旋轉門
面對面那一刻？
或者在人群中喃喃說出的「對不起」？
或者在聽筒截獲的唐突的「打錯了」？
然而我早知他們的答案。
是的，他們記不得了。
他們會感到詫異，倘若得知
緣分已玩弄他們
多年。
尚未完全做好
成為他們命運的準備，
緣分將他們推近，驅離，
憋住笑聲
阻擋他們的去路，
然後閃到一邊。
有一些跡象和信號存在，
即使他們尚無法解讀。
也許在三年前
或者就在上個星期二
有某片葉子飄舞于
肩與肩之間？
有東西掉了又撿了起來？
天曉得，也許是那個
消失于童年灌木叢中的球？
還有事前已被觸摸
層層覆蓋的
門把和門鈴。
檢查完畢後並排放置的手提箱。
有一晚，也許同樣的夢，
到了早晨變得模糊。
每個開始
畢竟都只是續篇，
而充滿情節的書本
總是從一半開始看起。
|
