Flowers at the Shwe Dagon
Calling out, calling loud, 'Lilies fair!'
To the pale-haired tourists ascending
The numerous flights of marble stairs. -
'Candles and incense!' her voice rings -
'Roses, red and pink and white!'
The air is noisy, but spirits light:
At a carnation she gazes alone,
Selling flowers at the Shwe Dagon.
'One bouquet, one bouquet,' says a man
To the dark-haired maiden standing there:
'A few roses, a few lilies, cut at the stem':
She picks them out deftly, with explicit care -
And hands them over to the blue-eyed stranger,
And knew at once she was in danger -
She looks at him, she heaves a moan,
Selling flowers at the Shwe Dagon.
'Some candles, some candles,' detains she:
'Will you not buy?' her eyes darting swift -
'Perhaps one packet,' gently smiles he,
As she hands him the candles, with a wish:
A profound desire, a pang of reality -
For no time has she to stoop to fantasies.
There and then she falls into Love's abode,
Selling flowers at the Shwe Dagon.
Blue-eyed stranger, true-eyed stranger, walks he by
Heading towards the stupas and the prayer-places,
And she, gazing after him, would fain deny
Her love for him among the powerful faces!
'Lilies fair!' she calls again, but no one pays her heed:
Her voice has lost its ring; she does not see the need -
Anymore. And she looks for him and groans,
Selling flowers at the Shwe Dagon.
Fair-haired stranger, fair-eyed stranger, walks he by
Now heading down, down the marble stairs:
And she, glancing over, heaves a quiet sigh -
Fain would she weep, fain call out, to dare!
But she her silence keeps, and turns back to her duty,
Hiding her eyes, hiding her heart, holding the flowers' beauty:
And now she calls out, again alone,
Selling flowers at the Shwe Dagon.
Calling out, calling loud: 'Lilies fair!'
To the pale-haired tourists ascending
The numerous flights of marble stairs -
But she, in quiet despair, is still waiting:
Waiting for that fair-haired, blue-eyed stranger,
Holding onto a promise his warm eyes gave her -
And still she waits, still alone,
Selling flowers at the Shwe Dagon.
