第14章 一见钟情 辛波斯卡

他们彼此深信

是瞬间迸发的热情使他们相遇。

这样的确定是美丽的，

但变幻无常更为美丽。

他们素未谋面，

他们彼此并无任何交集。

但是从街道，

楼梯，

大堂，

传来的声音。

他们也许擦肩而过，一百万次了？

我想问他们是否记得在旋转门里面对面那一瞬间，或者，在人群中道出一句“不好意思”，

或是，在电话的另一端说“打错了”。

我早知道这个答案。

是的，

他们不记得。

他们会惊讶，

原来缘分早已戏弄他们多年。

时机还未成熟，

变成他们的命运，

缘分把他们推近。

距离，

阻挡他们的去路。

忍住笑声，

退到一旁。

有一些迹象和信号存在，

即使他们尚无法解读。

也许在三年前

或者是上个星期二

有一片叶子飘舞在

肩膀之间？

有东西落下了又捡了起来？

天知道，也许是那个

消失在童年灌木丛中的球？

还有早已被不断触摸的，

层层叠叠的，

门把和门铃。

被检查完后并排安置的手提箱。

有一晚，也许同样的梦，

在早晨变得模糊。

每个开始

都只是续篇，

而充满情节的书本

总是从中途开始看起。

Love at First Sight

They're both convinced

That a sudden passion joined them.

Such certainty is beautiful，

But uncertainty is more beautiful still.

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

That there'd been nothing between them.

But what's the word from the streets，

Staircases，hallways.

Perhaps they've passed by each other a million Times？

I want to ask them

If they don't remember

A moment face to face

In some revolving door？

Perhaps a"sorry"muttered in a crowd，

A curt"wrong number"caught in the receiver.

But I know the answer.

No，they don't remember.

They'd be amazed to hear

That chance has been toying with them

Now for years.

Not quite ready yet

To become their Destiny，

It pushed them close，drove them apart，

It barred their path，

Stifling a laugh，

And then leaped aside.

There were signs and signals，

Even if they couldn't read them yet.

Perhaps three years ago

Or just last Tuesday

A certain leaf fluttered

From one shoulder to another，

Something was dropped and then picked up.

Who knows，maybe the ball that vanished

Into childhood's thicket.

There were doorknobs and doorbells

Where one touch had covered another

Beforehand.

Suitcases checked and standing side by side.

One night，perhaps，the same dream，

Grown hazy by morning.

Every beginning

Is only a sequel，after all，

And the book of events

Is always open halfway through.

By Wislawa Szymborska