"To a Muse"

"To a Muse"

You have enslaved me with your lovely body;

You have put me in a kind of prison.

Since the day we parted,

I have found nothing that is like your beauty.

So I comfort myself with a ripe apple—

Its fragrance reminds me of the myrrh of your breath,

Its shape of your breasts, its color

Of the color that used to rise to your cheeks.

- Yehudah Halevi

Ever since the day we last met

It seems that my heart is longing for you

For I felt what comes from your beauty

Be it in your appearance or your kindness

Enough to translate into love

That also made me driven into ecstasy

Amidst the rain and cold

I once found warmth in your love

The way you have once embraced me with your lovely body

And enticed with your enchanting voice

Those times be like enough to translate emotions into words

Reminiscent of ministrels to its muses

Whose songs meant love from long ago

And at once I had comforted you with my words

If not massaged you till one felt the ease from your illness

Of chocolates, milk, or even oranges

All brought to enjoy those late afternoons

That perhaps made me suddenly think how we both care amidst our lonelinesses

Of tiring days and of committments

Yet having time to enjoy and laugh in times of sadness

And although true that I felt your seduction

I'd rather felt your friendliness more if not the kindness

That perhaps made me think how thoughtful that beautiful girl she is

Besides having a sensuous body and a carefully-cultivated wit

And since inspired, enough to translate my feelings into words

Such as this lowly poem.

I admit, that there are more poems meant for you

For sometimes I can't convey it straight

But rather trying to turn things creatively

The way that you encouraged me to do:

That you brought comfort amidst the pain

If not making ideals overflow out of being inspired
I am thankful that you've been a part of my life
Thanks to you, and as a friend and comrade, there is nothing wrong to say:

I love you.