Centre for Romanian Studies

 

Poetry in Translation (CCCXCII), ROMANIA, George TOPÂRCEANU (1886, Bucharest – 1937, Jassy): “Jealousy”, “Gelozie”

George TOPÂRCEANU (1886-1937)

Jealousy

 

Had we never met before

(Incidentally, by mistake)

You’d have loved, for Goodness’ sake,

Any lad and any bore.

 

If o’r paths had never crossed,

You’d have given, merrily,

To a stranger, verily,

All my love, at any cost.

 

Might you had a child by him,

Born an idiot, for sure,

And completely premature,

Like his father, on a whim.

 

After all, this song and dance,

Merely, was an accident,

As we took the Sacrament,

Absolutely, by sheer chance.

 

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Gelozie

George TOPÂRCEANU

(1886-1937)

 

Dacă nu ne-am fi-ntâlnit

(Absolut din întâmplare),

Tu pe altul oarecare

Tot aşa l-ai fi iubit.

 

Dacă nu-ţi ieşeam în drum

Ai fi dat cu bucurie

Altuia străin, nu mie,

Mângâierile de-acum.

 

Ai avea şi vreun copil

Care, poate (idiotul!),

Ar fi sămănat cu totul

Cu-acel tată imbecil.

 

Dar aşa… ce lucru mare

Că’ntr-o zi ne-am întâlnit

Şi că’s foarte fericit,

Absolut din întâmplare!

 

(1928, din “Migdale amare“)

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