Each star a rung, br night comes down the spiral br staircase of the evening. br The breeze passes by so very close br as if someone just happened to speak of love. br In the courtyard, br the trees are absorbed refugees br embroidering maps of return on the sky. br On the roof, br the moon - lovingly, generously - br is turning the stars br into a dust of sheen. br From every corner, dark-green shadows, br in ripples, come towards me. br At any moment they may break over me, br like the waves of pain each time I remember br this separation from my lover. br br This thought keeps consoling me: br though tyrants may command that lamps be smashed br in rooms where lovers are destined to meet, br they cannot snuff out the moon, so today, br nor tomorrow, no tyranny will succeed, br no poison of torture make me bitter, br if just one evening in prison br can be so strangely sweet, br if just one moment anywhere on this earth.