This courtyard, this Shravana

Had I known we wouldn't meet for so long, I would have touched you a little more.
Held you tighter, pressed and wrapped around me a little extra time.

Had I known we wouldn't see each other for so long, I would have stolen a few more kisses,
Rested my lips upon your cheek and lavished you with more tenderness.

Had I known I wouldn't see you for so long, watching you walk away that last time
I would have offered up a few more teardrops,
Kept you before my eyes and gazed upon you fixedly for hours more.

Had I known I wouldn't see you for so long, resting my head upon your chest
I would have taken a little more affection, and that black mole
Claiming territory on your forehead—I would have touched it several times more.

Beloved, had I known I wouldn't see you for so long
I would have loved you a little more deeply.

We will meet again, my love!
We will meet after night's darkness ends, in the folds of new stories.
We will speak again when the world's wounds have healed,
All our unfinished kisses will find completion then.
The buds of our half-built dream-palace will open their petals and look up once more.

We will meet again in some eastern twilight's
Melting embrace. Or else in lines of poetry, or in the words of songs.
Mark this well—we will meet again, we must!

Get well, beloved!
Push through the fog of my waiting breath and return to me!
A person lives on today only for you, holding back death's hundred reasons,
...his chain of prayers rests foolishly on dream-wings, settled deep in your eyes!