My heart weeps
When Cio-Cio San sings:
Un bel dì, vedremo
(One fine day, we’ll see)
levarsi un fil di fumo
(a strand of smoke)
sull’ estremo confin del mare.
(in the far horizon, on the sea)
E poi la nave appare.
(And then the ship appears)
What dreams
Does that ship carry?
What treasure-chest of tears?
Aged in charred-hard barrels:
Golden? Amber?
Red? Or brown …
Salty tears,
From fledgling love?
(Found-and-lost.)
Sweet-laced drops,
From mellow love?
(Lost-and-found.)
Spicy tears,
From zesty love?
(Found-and-kept.)
What dreams
Does that ship carry?
What treasure-chest of jewels?
Caged in steel-strapped bands,
To be unleashed on lovers’ arms.
My heart weeps
As Madama Butterfly sings:
Un bel dì, vedremo
(One fine day, we will see.)
When the ship appears . . .
