Cremation of Memory

Do you remember, beloved,
those hundred honeyed words
of that honey-sweet night?
What did it whisper
ear to ear
on the silent riverbank?

Do you remember, friend,
that meeting by the river,
the beautiful young woman?
Do you know, cruel one,
how much she grieves,
how her eyes weep today?

Her laughter and song
have found their end
in the pools of your eyes!
Will you ever again
lovingly embrace her,
draw her to your heart?

Your web of enchantment
has been cut away now,
you desire her no more;
that simple heart
she surrendered to you—
do you understand her pain?

Your game was simply
to toy with her life;
what a tug-of-war this is!
Do you know how many words,
how many false tales
are being whispered about?

Why did you play
that game with her heart,
cruel lord of her life?
In an instant you stole away
all the light from her eyes,
all her heart's longings!

There's no sorrow in this—
that even now in her pain
she remembers only you!
Don't steal away
her worship of memory, beloved,
she asks for no love or affection!