Gala
by [Guillaume Apollinaire]
Translated by Oliver Bernard

To André Rouveyre

[Skyrocket] burst of hardened [steel]
A charming [light] on this [fair] place
These technicians' [tricks] appeal
Mixing with [courage] a little [grace]

Two [star] shells first
In [rose] pink [burst]
Two [breasts] you lay [bare] with a [laugh]
Offer their [insolent] tips

HERE LIES ONE WHO COULD [LOVE]

some [epitaph]
A [poet] in the [forest] sees
[Indifferent] able to [cope]
His [revolver] catch at [safe]
Roses dying of their [hope]

Thinks of Saadi's roses then
Bows his [head] draws down his [lip]
As a [rose] reminds him of
The softer curving of a [hip]

The [air] is full of a [terrible]
[Liquor] from half shut [stars] distilled
Projectiles [stroke] the soft [nocturnal]
[Perfume] with your [image] filled
Where the [rose|roses] all are killed

Gala (thing)