Love at First Sight—by Wislawa Szymborska
hey're both convinced
他们彼此深信
that a sudden passion joined them.
是瞬间迸发的热情让他们相遇。
Such certainty is beautiful,
这样的确定是美丽的，
but uncertainty is more beautiful still.
但变化无常更为美丽。
Since they'd never met before, they're sure
他们素未谋面，所以他们确定
that there'd been nothing between them.
彼此并无瓜葛。
But what's the word from the streets, staircases, hallways--
但是，自街道、楼梯、大堂，传来的话语——
perhaps they've passed by each other a million times?
他们也许擦肩而过，一百万次了吧？
I want to ask them if they don't remember--
我想问他们是否记得——
a moment face to face in some revolving door?
在旋转门面对面那一刹？
perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd?
或者在人群中喃喃道出的“对不起”？
a cut "wrong number" caught in the receiver?
或是在电话的另一端道出的“打错了”？
but I know the answer.
但是，我早已知道答案。
No, they don't remember.
是的，他们并不记得。
They'd be amazed to hear
他们会很讶异
that Chance has been toying with them now for years.
原来缘分已经戏弄他们多年。
Not quite ready yet
时机尚未成熟
to become their Destiny,
变成他们的命运，
it pushed them close, drove them apart,
缘分将他们推近、驱离，
it barred their path,
阻挡他们的去路，
stifling a laugh,
忍住笑声，
and then leaped aside.
然后，闪到一旁。
There were signs and signals,
有一些迹象和信号存在，
even if they couldn't read them yet.
即使他们尚无法解读。
Perhaps three years ago
也许在三年前
or just last Tuesday
或者就在上个星期二
a certain leaf fluttered from one shoulder to another?
有某片叶子飘舞于肩与肩之间？
Something was dropped and then picked up.
有东西掉了又捡了起来？
Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished into childhood's thicket?
天晓得，也许是那个消失于童年灌木丛中的球？
There were doorknobs and doorbells where one touch had covered another beforehand.
还有事前已被触摸层层覆盖的门把和门铃。
Suitcases checked and standing side by side.
检查完毕后并排放置的手提箱。
One night, perhaps, the same dream,
有一晚，也许同样的梦，
grown hazy by morning.
到了早晨变得模糊。
Every beginning
每个开始
is only a sequel, after all,
毕竟都只是续篇，
and the book of events
而充满情节的书本
is always open halfway through.
总是从一半开始看起。
他们彼此深信
that a sudden passion joined them.
是瞬间迸发的热情让他们相遇。
Such certainty is beautiful,
这样的确定是美丽的，
but uncertainty is more beautiful still.
但变化无常更为美丽。
Since they'd never met before, they're sure
他们素未谋面，所以他们确定
that there'd been nothing between them.
彼此并无瓜葛。
But what's the word from the streets, staircases, hallways--
但是，自街道、楼梯、大堂，传来的话语——
perhaps they've passed by each other a million times?
他们也许擦肩而过，一百万次了吧？
I want to ask them if they don't remember--
我想问他们是否记得——
a moment face to face in some revolving door?
在旋转门面对面那一刹？
perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd?
或者在人群中喃喃道出的“对不起”？
a cut "wrong number" caught in the receiver?
或是在电话的另一端道出的“打错了”？
but I know the answer.
但是，我早已知道答案。
No, they don't remember.
是的，他们并不记得。
They'd be amazed to hear
他们会很讶异
that Chance has been toying with them now for years.
原来缘分已经戏弄他们多年。
Not quite ready yet
时机尚未成熟
to become their Destiny,
变成他们的命运，
it pushed them close, drove them apart,
缘分将他们推近、驱离，
it barred their path,
阻挡他们的去路，
stifling a laugh,
忍住笑声，
and then leaped aside.
然后，闪到一旁。
There were signs and signals,
有一些迹象和信号存在，
even if they couldn't read them yet.
即使他们尚无法解读。
Perhaps three years ago
也许在三年前
or just last Tuesday
或者就在上个星期二
a certain leaf fluttered from one shoulder to another?
有某片叶子飘舞于肩与肩之间？
Something was dropped and then picked up.
有东西掉了又捡了起来？
Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished into childhood's thicket?
天晓得，也许是那个消失于童年灌木丛中的球？
There were doorknobs and doorbells where one touch had covered another beforehand.
还有事前已被触摸层层覆盖的门把和门铃。
Suitcases checked and standing side by side.
检查完毕后并排放置的手提箱。
One night, perhaps, the same dream,
有一晚，也许同样的梦，
grown hazy by morning.
到了早晨变得模糊。
Every beginning
每个开始
is only a sequel, after all,
毕竟都只是续篇，
and the book of events
而充满情节的书本
is always open halfway through.
总是从一半开始看起。
