Gala
by Guillaume Apollinaire
Translated by Oliver Bernard
To André Rouveyre
Skyrocket burst of hardened steel
A charming light on this fair place
These technicians' tricks appeal
Mixing with courage a little grace
Two star shells first
In rose pink burst
Two breasts you lay bare with a laugh
Offer their insolent tips
HERE LIES ONE WHO COULD LOVE
some epitaph
A poet in the forest sees
Indifferent able to cope
His revolver catch at safe
Roses dying of their hope
Thinks of Saadi's roses then
Bows his head draws down his lip
As a rose reminds him of
The softer curving of a hip
The air is full of a terrible
Liquor from half shut stars distilled
Projectiles stroke the soft nocturnal
Perfume with your image filled
Where the roses all are killed