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Reversibility Angel full of gaiety, do you know anguish,
Shame, remorse, sobbing, worldly cares,
And the vague terrors of those dreadful nights
That crush the heart like a piece of paper being crumpled?
Angel full of gaiety, do you know anguish?
Angel full of goodness, do you know hatred,
Fists clenched in the shadows and tears bitter as gall,
When Revenge beats out its infernal call to arms,
And makes itself captain of our faculties?
Angel full of goodness, do you know hatred?
Angel full of health, do you know the Fevers
That walk like exiles, dragging their feet
Alongside the high walls of the pale hospital,
Searching for a rare ray of sunlight, their lips quivering?
Angel full of health, do you know Fevers?
Angel full of beauty, do you know wrinkles
And the fear of growing old, and that hideous torment
Of reading the secret horror of devotion
In eyes from which our eyes long drank so avidly?
Angel full of beauty, do you know wrinkles?
Angel full of happiness, of joy, and of light,
The dying David would have asked for health
From the emanations of your enchanted body;
But from you I implore, angel, only your prayers,
Angel full of happiness, of joy, and of light!
Original French
(All translations by Cat Nilan © 1999, 2004) |