Love

The Keyboard, Over Which Two Slim Hands Float

by Paul Verlaine 1844–1896

Translated by Gertrude Hall (1895) · From Romances sans paroles (1874)

Love

The keyboard, over which two slim hands float,
Shines vaguely in the twilight pink and gray,
Whilst with a sound like wings, note after note
Takes flight to form a pensive little lay
That strays, discreet and charming, faint, remote,
About the room where perfumes of Her stray.

What is this sudden quiet cradling me
To that dim ditty's dreamy rise and fall?
What do you want with me, pale melody?
What is it that you want, ghost musical
That fade toward the window waveringly
A little open on the garden small?

✦ ✦ ✦

Epigraph: Son joyeux, importun, d'un clavecin sonore.--PETRUS BOREL

MLA

Verlaine, Paul. “The Keyboard, Over Which Two Slim Hands Float.” Translated by Gertrude Hall. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/verlaine/16/.

Chicago

Verlaine, Paul. “The Keyboard, Over Which Two Slim Hands Float.” Translated by Gertrude Hall. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/verlaine/16/.

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