If you only knew

 You’re sitting there, listening to the sound 

of distant pianos seeking to reach

beyond the surface of a higher ground,

while quiet waves roll steady on the beach.

What music you should hear this afternoon

is none that I could play, but then I can’t

manage to achieve one useful tune,

though still am able to produce a rant.

Your voice is silent, and I am not sure 

it needs to be accompanied by mine,

which is, alas, not delicate or pure;

less than a song, but certainly a whine.

I ache to hear, I wish to dance and play 

on this late evening at the end of May.

The sailor’s return

I begged from the king a ticket of leave.

to see for a while the one whom I love,

so long without her made both of us grieve. 

His Majesty laughed, and gave me the glove.

I went to the count, and asked for the same,

reminding my lord how I’d brought him gain.

He glared at me, saying I had no shame 

but simply desired to avoid more pain.

I stole a small boat, and began to row,

begging all forces to make my arms strong,

wafting me easily on the sea’s flow,

and bring us together swiftly as song.

Back to her arms, swearing never to part,

and holding her close to my aching heart.

Cantiga de amigo

O wildest of seas, beside which I wait,

lead my beloved in haste to my side.

Keep him away from danger and harsh fate,

and return him to me in honor and pride.

O wildest of seas, protect his small ship,

 and bear him to this haven swift and soon;

protect his feet, and do not let them slip,

but bring him home under a golden moon.

O wildest of seas, let us both rejoice 

to see the one soul to whom we belong.

Let him be joyful at hearing my voice,

bring him to land soon, both healthy and strong.

O wildest of seas, may you never fail 

to bring him back home past each storm and gale.

True minds may marry, but also they may not

So there’s this boy I want, but heart still yearns

for dark-haired girl that both of us desire.

Every illumination must leave burns 

created by the fundamental fire

that blazes in the heart and on the skin 

of each who loves, and who now feels the pain 

of knowing that each option is a sin

unexpiably laying down a stain.

It isn’t that we have no ringing voice

to prove each honest word we have to say

allows each other perfectly free choice

to kiss and leave, or else to kiss and stay.

Our hope is that the giving of this trust 

is not another thing that falls as dust.