BardicTranslationRoughs/Minuet

On a shore that is fragant and colourful as a garden
By the blue edge of the endless waters
On the side from which no footprints trail back

Rainbows shine in the watery mist
A magic tapestry woven by no hands
Beyond it, on a distant isle, a volcano smokes gently

Nothing there can harm anyone any more
Does time even exist? Perhaps, but it is better to think not.

It is there that you will learn silence.
There you will open your hearing and close your lips
There you will once more, finally, become fresh - young - pure

Only after falling silent will you understand
That the sound inside of you is beautiful - truthful - new
And as an unstrummed string you will learn to sing without words

In that space where the poles do not know earth's measures
A divine canon is led by the voices of such shadows as you

The conductor whose will is as fate
Somewhere amidst the invisible harps and lyres
Will find a spot for you, if he could be so kind

If so, sound out without looking for a mute
Drown yourself in the love of melody
Sob if you are a clavessin, cry out if you are an organ

Is this how it will be? Possibly not, but it is better to think so.
Join the canon, be the minuet, be in it forever

On a shore that is fragant and colourful as a garden
By the blue edge of the endless waters
Listen only to that tune; treasure only that fruit

Do not return even for me, for me
Neither alive, nor dead
Even alone with you I will no longer be yours

Just wait a while, the breach is not wide and link will rejoin link;
Soon I, too, will lose my tongue and fall silent.

By the blue edge of the endless waters...