Love at First Sight by Wislawa Szymborska

                                                                                           （Creadit： Sophia Rapata）
 

they're both convinced

他們彼此深信 

that a sudden passion joined them。

是瞬間迸發的熱情讓他們相遇。 

Such certainty is beautiful,

這樣的確定是美麗的， 

but uncertainty is more beautiful still。

但變化無常更為美麗。 

Since they'd never met before, they're sure

他們素未謀面，所以他們確定 

that there'd been nothing between them。

彼此並無瓜葛。 

But what's the word from the streets, staircases, hallways--

但是，自街道、樓梯、大堂，傳來的話語—— 

perhaps they've passed by each other a million times?

他們也許擦肩而過，一百萬次了吧？ 

I want to ask them if they don't remember--

我想問他們是否記得—— 

a moment face to face in some revolving door?

在旋轉門面對面那一剎？ 

perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd?

或者在人群中喃喃道出的“對不起”？ 

a cut "wrong number" caught in the receiver?

或是在電話的另一端道出的“打錯了”？ 

but I know the answer。

但是，我早已知道答案。 

No, they don't remember。

是的，他們並不記得。 

They'd be amazed to hear

他們會很訝異 

that Chance has been toying with them now for years。

原來緣分已經戲弄他們多年。 

Not quite ready yet

時機尚未成熟 

to become their Destiny,

變成他們的命運， 

it pushed them close, drove them apart,

緣分將他們推近、驅離， 

it barred their path,

阻擋他們的去路， 

stifling a laugh,

忍住笑聲， 

and then leaped aside。

然後，閃到一旁。 

There were signs and signals,

有一些跡象和信號存在， 

even if they couldn't read them yet。

即使他們尚無法解讀。 

Perhaps three years ago

也許在三年前 

or just last Tuesday

或者就在上個星期二 

a certain leaf fluttered from one shoulder to another?

有某片葉子飄舞於肩與肩之間？ 

Something was dropped and then picked up。

有東西掉了又撿了起來？ 

Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished into childhood's thicket?

天曉得，也許是那個消失於童年灌木叢中的球？ 

There were doorknobs and doorbells where one touch had covered another beforehand。

還有事前已被觸摸層層覆蓋的門把和門鈴。 

Suitcases checked and standing side by side。

檢查完畢後並排放置的手提箱。 

One night, perhaps, the same dream,

有一晚，也許同樣的夢， 

grown hazy by morning。

到了早晨變得模糊。 

Every beginning

每個開始 

is only a sequel, after all,

畢竟都只是續篇， 

and the book of events

而充滿情節的書本 

is always open halfway through。

總是從一半開始看起。