We Have Lost Even

We have lost even this twilight.
No one saw us this evening hand in hand
while the blue night dropped on the world.

I have seen from my window
the fiesta of sunset tin the distant mountain tops.

Sometimes a piece of sun
burned like a coin between my hands.


in that sadness of mine that you know.

Where were you then?
Who else was there?
Saying what?
Why will the whole of love come on me suddenly
when I am sad and feel you are far away?

The book fell that is always truned to at twilight
and my cape rolled like a hurt dog at my feet.

Always, always you recede throught the evenings
toward where the twilight goes erasing statues.

Pablo Neruda
translated by W.S. Merwin

We Have Lost Even This
Oil on Canvas
38" x 28"
2000