OUR LUCKY STAR

Under the starry autumn skies
I lie, my wounded breast afire.
The vision of my love's eyes
Grows fainter - and will soon expire.

If you are musing at this hour
In our old home by open window,
You, too, search out our lucky star
That in my dimming eyes keeps dwindling.

Our eyes would thus a last tryst keep,
As stars burn brighter before dawn.
Be brave, beloved, do not weep,
But think of me as fighting on.

The fascists run, and endless rows
Of crosses by the roads they leave,
And in the future times no foes
Will ever venture past my grave.

The wind sings low, the shrapnel hacks
The icy trenches, bullet-ridden.
My comrades rise soon to attack.
Oh how I wish I could be with them!

The battle sounds come from afar.
Good hunting, brothers, and - goodbye!
My love, search out our lucky star
Before it pales. Before I die.

Translated by S. Roy


OUR FRIENDSHIP WAS TENDER

Our friendship was tender,
Our love was strong,
And I poured all my heart
In a song,
In a song.

Birchtree leaves fell three times,
Thrice grew green again.
I still wait for your letters,
For your letters
In vain.

Days slip by like green fields,
Wilt away like flowers,
Like the cut stems of rye
Fall away
Our hours.

When you look out the window,
Couldn't I sway there and lurch
In the wind, rustling leaves
Like a birch,
Like a birch?

In transparent moonlight
I'd be close to you,
And I'd bathe in the silver
Of the dew,
Of the dew.

And when for the night
You would douse the light,
I would bow and bid you
A good night,
A good night.

Till my longing should wane,
Couldn't I sway there and lurch
In the wind, rustling leaves
Like a birch,
Like a birch?

Translated by S. Roy


THE DANCE WAS OVER

The dance was over. 
All sank in darkness. 
In maple shadows 
Rustled the night.

The rose I brought you 
Was doomed to wither. 
Love too was sharing 
The flower's plight.

I saw you shunning 
My pleading glances 
But kept on gazing 
Into your eyes.

And then I trembled 
In fear and frenzy 
And grew as dreary 
As autumn skies.

I felt my heartstrings 
Broke with a snapping. 
We sat in silence 
Alien, withdrawn.
 
I still remembered 
The dreams we cherished 
When cocks were crowing 
At early dawn.

Where have you vanished 
Love's sighs so pleasing, 
Deep as the rustle 
Of forest pines?

There are no bridges 
Left for retreating. 
Goodbye, my lassie, 
Sweet love of mine.

The one I cherished 
Tonight was buried. 
We were not able 
To get along.

A white star tumbled 
Over the forest 
Suddenly ending 
My love and song.

Translated by Lionginas Pažūsis

Born into a peasant family in the village of Padustelis, Paulius Širvys graduated from a farming school in 1940 and from the Institute of Literature in 1957. He fought in World War Two and twice escaped from captivity. His verse was first published in 1947. His books of verse, Native Birches Rustle (1956), Longing Is a Song (1972) and others, are marked by the lyrical quality of his wartime memories, sincerity of expression and the sad melodiousness of folk song. Širvys' lyrical poems are permeated with Lithuanian folklore traditions and melodious poetic patterns.