The Roses of Saadi
by Marceline Desbordes-Valmore
Translated from the French by Kathakali Jana

This morning, I wanted to bring you some roses
But I had filled up so many in my sash
That the knots were about to burst with them.
The knots did explode and the roses blew away
The wind blew them all into the sea,
Following the water, never to return;
The waves looked red as if they were all aflame.
This evening, my dress is again fragrant…
Breathing upon me their perfumed memory.