The chrysanthemums were fading like desires
in the garden when you came. You laughed
with a small white flower's tranquility.
Silently I made the sweetest song
out of my inner darkness
and the petals played it on you.
--Kostas Karyotakis
First published in Noumas no. 650, 1919-09-21.
The original text is in the public domain.
Translated from the Greek by writeup author, 2004.
This translation is hereby released into the public domain.